MXPA98001909A - A method and an apparatus for acquiring data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarb - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, a measurement of the velocity is carried out substantially at the same level as that to which a determination of the proportions of the phases of the fluid flowing along the well in the less a local region. To this end, local sensors are placed on the articulated arms of a centering device, and a rotor is placed between the arms to measure the velocity

Description

A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING DATA E? OR? WELL FOR THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for acquiring data and is intended for use in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons. More particularly, the method and apparatus of the invention are designed to monitor the production parameters in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons and to make it possible to carry out a diagnosis in the event of an incident. To carry out surveillance and diagnostic functions in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons that is in production, it is necessary to acquire a certain amount of data, mainly physical data. The data refers essentially to the fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well (flow, proportions of the various phases, temperature, pressure, etc.). The data may also concern certain characteristics of the well itself (ovalization, deviation, etc.). Depending on the type of apparatus used, the information collected along the hole can be transmitted to the surface, either in real time or in a deferred manner. For transmission in real time, the transmission can take place via a telemetry system, using the cable from which the device is suspended. For delayed transmission, the information collected along the hole is recorded inside the device and is read only after the device has been brought back to the surface. Whichever way the acquired data is used along the hole (real-time mode or deferred mode), the existing data acquisition apparatus is always constituted by a large number of end-to-end modules . In particular, the measurement of the flow velocity or its flow rate is always carried out in a module that is different from the module used to detect the proportions of the various phases present in the fluid, when such detection is carried out. More precisely, the measurement of the flow velocity or its flow rate is generally carried out in the lower modules of the assembly, while the proportions of the various phases of the fluid are determined, if they are determined. , in a higher placed module. This usual arrangement of the data acquisition apparatus used in the wells for the extraction of hydrocarbons is illustrated in particular in EP-A-0 733 780 (Figure 7). In existing apparatuses, this increase in the number of overlapping modules to carry out the monitoring and to establish the diagnosis in case of anomalies in the well, poses several problems. First, the fact that the data is acquired at significantly different levels in the well means that the interpretation of the data can lead to errors or inaccuracies. In addition, when it is desired to acquire a large amount of data, the above organization leads to build an apparatus that is particularly long, heavy and expensive. The length and weight make the manipulation of the apparatus on the surface much more complicated. In addition, after the apparatus has been raised, it must be transferred to the surface through a decompression sluice, and the cost of such a lock increases with increasing length. An object of the invention is to make it possible to acquire data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons along a reduced height. Another object of the invention is to make it possible to acquire data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons at a lower cost than with the usual techniques. Another object of the invention is to facilitate the interpretation of the acquired data and reduce the risks of errors and inaccuracies. According to the invention, a method has been provided for the acquisition of data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises the operations of measuring, in the section of the flow, the flow of a multi-phase fluid flowing along the well in the central region thereof, and determining, at least in a local region located substantially at the same level, the proportions of the fluid phases present in said local region . By convention, the term "local region" refers to any three-dimensional region or zone that corresponds to a subdivision or a part of the flow section of the well. Also the expression "substantially at the same level" means that the levels at which the fluid flow rate is measured and to which the proportions of the phases in the fluid are determined, can be identical or slightly different. If they are slightly different, the difference between the levels is much smaller than the difference that would exist if the two operations were carried out in different modules, mounted one below the other. Since the saudal is measured and the proportions of the fluid phases are determined substantially at the same level, the data acquired in this way can be interpreted in a more reliable and more accurate way than is possible with the methods of the previous technique. In addition, the resulting reduction in the length of the corresponding apparatus simplifies the handling and reduces the cost, in particular by reducing the length required for the decompression lock. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportions of the fluid phases present are determined in a plurality of local regions surrounding a central region of the well. Advantageously, the proportions of the present fluid phases are then determined in a plurality of lozenge regions which are regularly distributed around the central region and which are located at substantially equal distances from it. Preferably, the flow rate is determined in the well session by measuring the velocity of the fluid in said central region and measuring the diameter of the well substantially at the level of each local region. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportions of the fluid phases present are then determined in four local regions distributed at 90 ° intervals relative to each other around the central region, and the diameter of the well is measured in two orthogonal directions that sada one passes sustantially through two of the local regions. Preferably, when the well is deflected, a vertical reference direction that substantially cuts the well axis is also determined. The invention further provides an apparatus for acquiring data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, comprising means for measuring the flow rate in the flow section to measure the flow rate of a fluid in multiple phases that flows along the wellbore. the sentral region of the same, and at least one losal sensor located sustansialmente to the same level that the one of the means to measure the saudal, being sada suitable local sensor to determine the proportions of the phases of the fluid in which it is submerged. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for measuring the flow rate comprise means for measuring the speed. Means of centering then automatically maintain the means for measuring the velocity in a central region of the well, a plurality of local sensors having arranged around the means for measuring the velocity. Advantageously, the local sensors are regularly distributed around the means for measuring the speed and are located at substantially equal distances from said means. The centering means comprise at least three arms in the form of V-shaped transmissions, one upper end of which is pivotally mounted on a central body that carries the means for measuring the speed between the articulated arms, and a lower end being from each articulated to a moving lower end piece. Between the central body and each of the articulated arms there are interposed elastic means for pressing with the arms against the wall of the well. further, each of the articulated arms carries one of the local sensors sustainsially to the level of the means for measuring the speed. Advantageously, the means for centering comprise four arms at intervals of 90 ° relatively to each other around a longitudinal axis of the central body. Preferably the means for measuring the flow rate further comprises means for measuring the diameter of the well between each pair of diametrically opposed arms about the longitudinal axis of the central body. In particular, the means for measuring the diameter of the well can comprise two differential transformers supported by the central body. When the well is deviated, means, also supported by the central body, can also be provided to determine a vertical referensia direction that cuts sustantially to the longitudinal axis of the central body. These means for determining a vertical reference direction advantageously comprise a flying mass potentiometer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view in which illustrated the apparatus for acquiring data of the invention located in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons; * Figure 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale, in which the middle part of the apparatus of Figure 1 is illustrated, in which the flow rate is measured; Y * Figure 3 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, in which the upper part of the apparatus of Figure 1 is illustrated, before the protective caps and the tubular casing have been placed in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a length of a well has been designated by the reference numeral 10 for the extractions of hydrosarburos in produssion. This length 10 is provided with perforations 11, through which fluid flows from the field to the interior of the well, and is illustrated in longitudinal section so that the lower part of the apparatus for the acquisition of data 12 is clearly shown. according to the invention. The data acquisition apparatus 12 of the invention is suspended from the surface inside the well 10 by means of a cable (not shown). The data acquired in the apparatus 12 is transmitted in real time to the surface, by telemetry, along the cable. The upper part of the data acquisition apparatus 12, which is not part of the invention, includes a number of sensors, such as pressure sensors and temperature sensors. It also includes a telemetry system. The lower part of the data acquisition apparatus 12, in which the invention is located, is described below. Referring to Figures 1 to 3. As illustrated in the figures, the apparatus 12 comprises a tubular shell 14 whose The geometrical axis is designed to roughly coincide with the geometrical axis of the well 10. When the apparatus is in an operating state, the tubular casing 14 is closed at each of its ends by a leak-proof plug. In Figure 3, which illustrates the upper part of Figure 1 when the apparatus is partially disassembled to reveal somatic elements thereof, the tubular casing 14 has been made to slide upwards and its lower plug is assigned the number of reference 16. The plugs are mounted on the ends of the casing 14, for example by means of screws and sealing rings (not shown), in such a way that the interior space defined in this way is isolated in a sealed manner with respect to the Exterior. This interior spasm can thus be maintained at atmospheric pressure, irrespective of the pressure in the well. The lower plug 16 extends downwards by a central body 18 which extends along the axis of the tubular casing 14 of the apparatus. At its lower end, the central body 18 carries means for measuring the speed, constituted by a rotor 20 whose geometrical axis coincides with the geometrical axis of the shell 14 and of the central body 18. The rotor 20 measures the speed of the fluid flowing to it. along the well, without altering the shape of the flow section thereof. The geometrical axis common to the rotor 20, to the shell 14, and to the central body 18, constitutes the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. This is automatically maintained in a central region of the well 10, that is to say substantially on the geometric axis thereof, by means for centering. In the illustrated embodiment, these centering means comprise four arms 22 in the form of V-shaped transmissions, which are distributed at 90 ° intervals relative to one another around the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. More concretely, and as illustrated in particular in Figures 1 and 2, each arm 22 comprises an upper articulation 24 and a lower articulation 26 which are articulated together around a pin 28. The pin 28 carries a small wheel or roller 30. , through which the corresponding arm 22 normally presses against the wall of the well 10. At its upper end, each of the two articulations 24 is articulated to the central body 18 around a pin 32. As illustrated in particular in Figure 3, all the pins of the joint 32 are located at the same height, at a relatively short distance below the lower plug 16. Also, and as illustrated in Figure 1, the lower ends of the lower joints 26 of the arms 22 are pivotally mounted on a movable lower end part 34, which constitutes the lower end of the apparatus. More specifically, two opposite lower links 26 are articulated with practically no play with the lower end piece 34 by pins 33, while the other lower joints 26 are hinged to the same end piece 34 through pins 33 which are free to slide. longitudinal grooves 35 formed in the end piece. This arrangement makes it possible for the wheels or rollers 30 to continuously support against the wall of the well 10, even when the section of the well is not exactly circular. As illustrated in particular in Figures 1 and 2, between the central body 18 and each of the arms 22 there are interposed leaf springs 36, so as to keep the arms permanently separated from the central body 18, ie, making pressure against the wall of the well 10 when the apparatus is located therein. For this purpose, the upper ends of the leaf springs 36 are secured to the central body 18 next to the hinge pins 32, while their lower ends are hinged to the upper joints 24 close to their hinge pins 28. The mechanism has in addition reinforcement joints 38 interposed between each of the upper articulations 24 and the central body 18, in the vicinity of its lower end carrying the rotor 20. More specifically, the upper end of each reinforcement joint 38 is articulated to the part In addition, the lower ends of the reinforcing articulations 38 and associated diametrically opposed arms 22 are hinged by means of pins 42 in two parts 44 and 46 mounted in a sliding manner, which can move independently from each other on the central body 18. Likewise that the articulation arrangement described above for the lower joints 26 and the end part 34 of the lower part, this arrangement makes it possible for the wheels or rollers 30 of all the arms 22 to press against the wall of the well 10, including although the well is not exactly circular. As illustrated in Figure 1, each of the arms 22 is used to carry a local sensor 48 (one of these sensors is ossified by the arm that carries it). More specifically, the local sensors 48 are all fixed at the same level to the lower joints 26 of the arms 22, and that level has been chosen to be substantially the same as the level of the rotor 20 used to measure the speed . In the illustrated embodiment, the local sensors 48 are at a level slightly lower than the level of the rotor 20. However, the difference between these levels is always much smaller than the difference that would exist if the local sensors and the rotor were mounted in different modules , located one below the other. Due to the way they are mounted on the arms 22, the local sensors 48 are regularly distributed around the rotor 20 used to measure the speed, and are located at substantially equal distances from said rotor.

The local sensors can be constituted by any suitable sensor to determine the proporsiones of the phases of the fluid present in the local region surrounding the sensitive part thereof. By way of example, the local sensors 48 can be constituted, in particular, by conductivity sensors, of the kind described in EP-AO 733 780, or by optical sensors, as described in EP-AO 809 098. Each of the local sensors 48 is connected by a cable 50 to a connector 52 (Figure 3), which projects downwardly from the underside of the plug 16. It should be noted that in Figure 3, where the partially disassembled apparatus has been represented, the connectors 52 are shown protected by bushings. The electronic circuits associated with the local sensors 48 are located within the tubular shell 14 and are connected to the connectors 52 by other cables (not shown). In order to measure the speed and to discover the flow direction, the rotor 20 is forced to rotate with an axis (not shown) which carries a certain number of permanent magnets (for example, six permanent magnets) at its upper end , whose magnets have the shape of cylinders extending parallel to the axis of the central body 18. These magnets are all at the same distance from the axis of the central body 18 and are regularly distributed around said axis. Above these permanent magnets, the central body 18 carries two sensors which are slightly angularly offset each in relation to the other and beyond which the magnets move. The axis of the rotor 20 and the magnets are located in a cavity in the central body 18, which is at the same pressure as the well. In contrast to this, the sensors are received in a recess that is insulated from the above-mentioned cavity by a sealed gap, so that it is permanently at atmospheric pressure. Electrical conductors connect the saptators to the seals located inside the tubular shell 14. As illustrated in Figure 2, the vanes 54 of the rotor 20 are mounted on the sentral body 18, so that it can be bent downwards. when the arms 22 are in turn bent downwards on the central body 18. For this purpose, each of the vanes 54 of the rotor 20 is articulated at its base to the central body 18 and cooperates by means of a camming surface. (not shown) are a ring 56 mounted for sliding in the central body. Between the ring 56 and a collar forming the lower end of the central body 18 a spring 58 is interposed. The spring 58 normally maintains the ring 56 in its high position, so that the vanes 54 of the rotor 20 extend radially, as shown in FIG. illustrated in Figure 1. When the arms 22 are folded down, as illustrated in Figure 2, at least one of the parts 44 and 46 rests against the ring 56 to push it down against the reaction of the spring 58 This downward movement of the ring 56 has the effect of causing the vanes 54 to pivot downwards as well, as illustrated in Figure 2. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, in particular, the apparatus for the acquisition of data further includes means for measuring the diameter of the well between each pair of arms 22 diametrically opposed. Together with the means for measuring the speed constituted by the rotor 20, these means for measuring the diameter constitute means for measuring the flow of the fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well. The means for measuring the diameter comprise two transformers 54 received inside the tubular casing 14 and carried by the lower plug 16 secured to the central body 18. These transformers 54 are differential transformers and the moving lower parts 56 thereof project downwards by under the lower plug 16, so that they are driven by respective different pairs of the arms 22. The transformers 54 therefore serve to measure two mutually perpendicular diameters of the well 10.

This provides information regarding the possible ovalization of the well in the area where the measurements are being made. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, means constituted by an associated rheostat 58 are a flying mass potensiometer 60 are also housed in the tubular casing, in order to determine a vertical reference direction that substantially cuts the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 14, when the well is deviated. More specifically, the spring 58 having a flying mass 60 is housed in the tubular shell 14 above the transformers 54, so that its geometric axis coincides with the geometrical axis of the shell. As soon as the geometric axis of the tubular casing 14 is inclined, because the well in which the apparatus is located is in turn deviated, the flying mass 60 of the spring 58 automatically orientates itself downwards. The signal delivered by the rheostat 58 then depends on the orientation of the vertical they are relasion to the sentral body 14 of the apparatus. The referensia vertisal direction obtained in this way serves in particular to determine the three-dimensional position of each of the local sensors 48 and also the position of each of the two diameters as measured by the pair of arms 22 and the transformers 54. It is thus possible to carry out without difficulty the correlation between the various measurements made. As also illustrated in Figure 3, the area surrounding the central body 18 between the lower plug 16 and the hinge pins 32 of the upper joints 24 is normally protected by two removable half shells 62. This zone contains the connectors 52 and the moving parts 56 of the transformers 54. As already mentioned, this is an area that is at the pressure of the well.

In addition, the flywheel resistor 58 is mounted within the tubular shell 14 by means of two removable semitubes 64 fixed at their lower ends to the lower plug 16. The transformers 54 are located within the semi-tubes 64, which are in turn housed in the tubular casing 14 when it is fixed in a sealed manner on the lower end piece 16. Naturally, the apparatus described above can be modified without going beyond the scope of the invention. Thus, the rheostat 58 which serves to determine a vertical reference direction can be omitted or replaced by any equivalent device. The same applies to the transformers 54 that are used to measure two mutually orthogonal well diameters. The apparatus can also be centered in the well in a different manner, for example, by means of a mechanism having only three articulated arms.

Claims (19)

1. A method for the acquisition of data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises the operations of: - measuring, in the flow section, the flow of a fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well in the central region of the same; and determining, at least in a local region located substantially at the same level, the proportions of the fluid phases present in said local region.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the propions of the fluid phases present are determined in a plurality of local regions surrounding said central region.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the propions of the present fluid phases are determined in a plurality of local regions, which are regularly distributed around the central region and which are located at substantially equal distances from it.

4. A method according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the flow rate in the well section is determined by measuring the velocity of the fluid in said central region, and measuring the diameter of the well substantially at the level of each local region.

5. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the propions of the present fluid phases are determined in four local regions distributed at 90 ° intervals relatively to each other, around the central region, and the diameter of the well it is measured in two orthogonal directions that each one passes substantially through two of the local regions.

6. A method according to Claim 1, in the sual a vertical reference stress is also determined which substantially cuts the well's axis, sucking the well.

7. An apparatus for the acquisition of data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, comprising means for measuring the flow rate in the flow section to measure the flow rate of a fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well in the region center thereof, and at least one local sensor located substantially at the same level as that of the means for measuring the saudal, each local sensor being suitable for determining the proportions of the phases of the fluid in which it is submerged.

An apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the means for measuring the flow rate comprises means for measuring the speed, means for centering to automatically maintain the means for measuring the speed in a central region of the well, and a plurality of local sensors arranged around the means to measure the velocity.

9. A setting device is Claim 8, in which the local sensors are regularly distributed around the means for measuring the speed and are located at substantially equal distances from said means.

10. An arrangement device is Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the means for centering comprises at least three arms in the form of V-shaped transmissions, one upper end of which is pivotally mounted in a body. central that leads to the means to measure the velocity between the artisulated arms, and being a lower end of each articulated to a moving lower end part, having elastic means interposed between the central body of each of the articulated arms to make pressure are the arms against the wall of the well, and each of the articulated arms carrying one of the local sensors substantially at the level of the means for measuring the velocity.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the centering means comprises four arms at 90 ° intervals relative to one another about a longitudinal axis of the sentral body.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the means for measuring the saudal further comprises means for measuring the diameter of the well between each pair of arms diametrically opposed to said longitudinal axis.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 12, in which the means for measuring the diameter of the well comprise two differential transformers supported by the central body.

14. An arrangement device is Claim 7, in which the means housed in the central body are provided to determine a vertical referensia direction that sustains substantially the longitudinal axis of the sentral body, when the well is deviated.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means for determining a referensia vertical direction includes a potensiometer (58) having a flying mass (60).

16. A method of acquiring data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises the operations of measuring, in the sentral region of the flow sescin, the flow of a fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well and determining, in a plurality of local regions located substantially at the same level as, and angularly distributed around, said central region, the proportions of the fluid phases.

17. A method of acquiring data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises the operations of measuring, in the central region of the flow section, the flow of a fluid in multiple phases that flows along the well, and measuring the electrical conductivity of the fluid in a plurality of shernal regions located substantially at the same level as, and angularly distributed around, said central region.

18. An apparatus for the acquisition of data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which includes means for measuring the velocity, means for centering to automatically maintain the means for measuring the velocity in a central region of the well, and a plurality of local sensors arranged around the means for measuring the speed and carried over medium means for centering, said sensors being sensitive to the proportions of the fluid phases.

19. An apparatus for acquiring data in a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, comprising means for measuring the velocity, means for automatically maintaining the means for measuring the velocity in a sentral region of the well, and a plurality of local conductivity sensors arranged around the means for measuring the speed and carried on said means for centering, said sensors being sensitive to the proportions of the phases of the fluid.