US20160010410A1 - Borehole clamping systems and methods of operating the same - Google Patents
Borehole clamping systems and methods of operating the same Download PDFInfo
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- US20160010410A1 US20160010410A1 US14/796,716 US201514796716A US2016010410A1 US 20160010410 A1 US20160010410 A1 US 20160010410A1 US 201514796716 A US201514796716 A US 201514796716A US 2016010410 A1 US2016010410 A1 US 2016010410A1
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- fluid
- borehole
- pressure
- control unit
- actuated clamp
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 90
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- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/01—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for anchoring the tools or the like
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
- G01V1/22—Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
- E21B17/1014—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
- E21B17/1014—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well
- E21B17/1021—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well with articulated arms or arcuate springs
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
- E21B43/116—Gun or shaped-charge perforators
- E21B43/118—Gun or shaped-charge perforators characterised by lowering in vertical position and subsequent tilting to operating position
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/10—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements
- E21B47/113—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using electrical indications; using light radiations
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/01—Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V11/00—Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
- G01V11/002—Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant
- G01V11/005—Devices for positioning logging sondes with respect to the borehole wall
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to the field of sensing systems, and more particularly, to improved transducers, accelerometers, and improved sensing systems.
- Clamping mechanisms are required to ensure that seismic monitoring tools (such as accelerometers and geophones) that are used for oil, gas and geothermal energy monitoring applications are well coupled, mechanically, to a borehole.
- seismic monitoring tools such as accelerometers and geophones
- wellbore are used herein interchangeably
- Traditional clamps include: mechanical bow-spring, motor-driven arms, fixed magnet, and pneumatically-driven arms.
- a borehole clamping system includes: (a) a pressure actuated clamp (e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp) for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; (b) a fluid control unit (e.g., a hydraulic control unit, such as a hydraulic control module) configured for use within the borehole, the fluid control unit providing a fluid to the pressure actuated clamp, and controlling a pressure of the fluid; and (c) a surface electrical control unit (e.g., surface electronics 106 shown in FIG. 1 ) for controlling flow of the fluid, for example, through the operation of one or more valves (e.g., such as solenoid valves).
- a pressure actuated clamp e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp
- a fluid control unit e.g., a hydraulic control unit, such as a hydraulic control module
- a surface electrical control unit e.g., surface electronics 106 shown in FIG. 1
- a method of operating a clamping system within a borehole includes: (a) providing a pressure actuated clamp for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; (b) providing a fluid to the pressure actuated clamp, and controlling a pressure of the fluid, via a fluid control unit included within the borehole; and (c) controlling, via a surface electrical control unit, flow of the fluid from the fluid control unit to the pressure actuated clamp.
- a borehole clamping system includes a pressure actuated clamp (e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp) for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole, the pressure actuated clamp configured to be operated using wellbore (i.e., borehole) pressure.
- a pressure actuated clamp e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp
- wellbore i.e., borehole
- a method of operating a clamping system within a borehole includes: (a) providing a pressure actuated clamp for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; and (b) operating the pressure actuated clamp via wellbore pressure.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fluid control unit of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 3A-3B are block diagram views of a sensing assembly of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 4 is a block diagram schematic illustrating fluid flow of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention relates to passive energizing and release of clamps arms included in sensor assemblies. Only increased ambient (e.g., wellbore or borehole) pressure is used. Motors, pumps or other motive force producers may be avoided through the use of ambient pressure increased using a pressure converter. Because motors, pumps, etc. are avoided in the clamping operations, standard hybrid (e.g., electrical/optical) cable may be used to control the clamping action. Thus, ancillary lines (e.g., carrying hydraulic fluid) to the surface may be avoided in the lead cable. Rather, such ancillary lines may be included in the short lengths of interconnect cable. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, passive electronics may be utilized that are typically reliable at temperatures above 200° C. including solenoid valves. Check valves may be utilized to ensure that clamps remain released during installation, when large excursions of pressure and temperature are experienced by the system.
- ambient pressure e.g., wellbore or borehole
- ancillary lines e.g., carrying hydraulic fluid
- FIG. 1 illustrates a borehole clamping system 100 installed in connection with a borehole 104 . That is, a borehole (i.e., a wellbore) 104 is formed in earth 102 .
- Sensor assemblies 112 a, 112 b , . . . , 112 n e.g., where the sensor assemblies may be provided in an array such as the illustrated sensor assembly string including assemblies 112 a , . . . , 112 n ) are lowered into borehole 104 to sense vibration information within borehole 104 .
- borehole 104 may be provided in connection with gas and oil exploration, reservoir monitoring and production monitoring activities, and sensor assemblies 112 a, 112 b , . . . , 112 n include sensors for sensing information related to such activities.
- sensors may be fiber optic sensors (e.g., fiber optic transducers, fiber optic accelerometers, etc.), electronic sensors, etc.
- sensor assembly 112 a includes a clamp arm 112 a 1 (e.g., a pressure actuated clamp) for securely pressing sensor assembly 112 a against a wall (e.g., a casing wall) 104 a of borehole 104 .
- the remaining sensor assemblies e.g., sensor assembly 112 n including clamp arm 112 n 1 ) are also securely positioned within borehole 104 .
- system 100 also includes surface electronics 106 (e.g., interrogation electronics for interrogating sensors in sensor assemblies 112 a , . . . , 112 n and hydraulic control/monitoring electronics), lead cable 108 , fluid control unit 110 (e.g., a hydraulic fluid control unit for operating and controlling hydraulically actuated clamps 112 a 1 , . . . , 112 n 1 , etc.), and interconnect cables 114 .
- lead cable 108 may include optical fibers for sending and receiving optical signals to fiber optic sensors within the sensor assemblies 112 a , . . . , 112 n 1 .
- Lead cable 108 may also include, for example, electrical conductors, etc. for performing operations in connection with fluid control unit 110 (e.g., operating solenoid valves in fluid control unit 110 ).
- fluid control unit 110 e.g., operating solenoid valves in fluid control unit 110
- interconnect cables 114 may carry, for example, fiber optic signals, hydraulic fluid, etc.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an example of fluid control unit 110 from FIG. 1 .
- fluid control unit 110 may be a hydraulic fluid control unit for controlling hydraulic fluid used to operate the various sensor assembly clamps.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an end of lead cable 108 entering into cable shroud 110 e 1 of control unit 110 .
- Control unit 110 also includes a pressure relief module 110 c (including pressure relief valves 110 c 1 , 110 c 2 , and one or more electronic or optical fiber pressure transducers 116 for monitoring fluid pressure at one or more locations shown in FIG.
- a solenoid valve manifold 110 d (including solenoid control valves 110 d 1 , 110 d 2 , 110 d 3 and hydraulic lines to control the flow of hydraulic fluid for clamping and release functions), a pressure converter (e.g., a pressure intensifier) 110 a , an isolation device 110 b, and another cable shroud 110 e 2 leading to interconnect cable 114 .
- a pressure converter e.g., a pressure intensifier
- FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary operation of clamp 112 a 1 of sensor assembly 112 a (in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where clamp 112 a 1 of sensor assembly 112 a is hydaulically actuated and controlled).
- sensor assembly 112 a is securely positioned in borehole 104 such that feet 112 d of assembly 112 a are pressed against one wall 104 a of borehole 104 , and clamp arm 112 a 1 is pressed against another wall 104 a of borehole 104 .
- Fluid 116 a (e.g., an incompressible fluid, such as an incompressible hydraulic fluid) is injected through a hydraulic line into cylinder 112 e on the left side of piston 112 f (and fluid 116 b is likewise forced out on the right side of piston 1120 .
- the addition of fluid 116 a creates a positive differential across piston 112 f, and therefore moves piston 112 f to the right, compressing spring 112 h and driving piston rod 112 g to the right, thereby actuating clamp arm 112 a 1 (which is coupled and/or linked to piston rod 112 g ), and pressing clamp arm 112 a 1 against wall 104 a as shown in FIG. 3A .
- the sensing to be done by sensor 112 c e.g., a fiber optic sensor including a fiber optic transducer and/or fiber optic accelerometer included in sensor assembly 112 a may be accomplished in connection with surface electronics 106 .
- fluid 116 b e.g., an incompressible fluid
- fluid 116 a is injected into cylinder 112 e on the right side of piston 112 f (and fluid 116 a is likewise forced out on the left side of piston 112 f, for example, to substantially equalize fluid pressure on each side of cylinder 112 e and likewise across piston 112 f ), allowing spring 112 h to naturally extend, thereby pushing piston 112 f to the left and pulling piston rod 112 g to the left, thereby retracting clamp arm 112 a 1 such that clamp arm 112 a 1 does not press against wall 104 a .
- fluid 116 b e.g., an incompressible fluid
- sensor assembly 112 a may be withdrawn from borehole 104 . While sensor assembly 112 a is shown in FIGS. 3A-3B alone in borehole 104 , it is understood that sensor assembly 112 a may be part of a sensor array including a plurality of sensor assemblies, such as is shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 4 is a block diagram fluid schematic of an exemplary configuration of fluid control unit 110 in a hydraulic fluid control configuration. Also shown are simplified sensors assemblies 112 a, 112 b , . . . , 112 n (shown in more detail in FIGS. 3A-3B ) included in borehole clamping system 100 (see FIG. 1 ).
- fluid control unit 110 includes a pressure converter 110 a (e.g., a pressure intensifier) for operating the clamp arms of sensor assemblies 112 a, 112 b , . . . , 112 n, where pressure converter 110 a includes piston 110 a 1 within cylinder 110 a 2 .
- pressure converter 110 a intensifier
- pressure converter 110 a includes two coupled dissimilar diameter cylinder/piston assemblies for creating a higher pressure output compared to an input pressure.
- Unit 110 also includes an isolation device 110 b (e.g., a device for isolating the active fluid for driving pistons, such as piston 112 f, from wellbore fluid, such as a mud piston system, etc.) having a piston 110 b 1 in a cylinder 110 b 2 .
- Cylinder 110 b 2 of isolation device 110 b separates borehole fluid (at wellbore pressure) from working (clean) fluid with no pressure difference and serves as a reservoir to accommodate changes in overall system fluid volume.
- Unit 110 also includes: pressure relief valves 110 c 1 , 100 c 2 ; check valves 110 c 3 , 110 c 4 ; and solenoid valves 110 d 1 , 110 d 2 , and 110 d 3 (controlled by surface electronics 106 ).
- the hydraulics may be considered to be at surface ambient pressure.
- Solenoid operated valves 110 d 1 , 110 d 2 , and 110 d 3 are closed (e.g., using surface electronics 106 ), such that the clamp arms 112 a 1 , etc. are in a retracted position for lowering into borehole 104 .
- check valves 110 c 3 , 110 c 4 desirably ensure that both sides of clamp pistons (e.g., such as piston 112 f shown in FIGS. 3A-3B ) are at approximately wellbore pressure.
- Solenoid valves 110 d 1 and 110 d 3 are then closed electrically (controlled using electrical signals from surface electronics 106 ) to ensure that the clamp arms remain extended for long periods of time.
- solenoid valve 110 d 1 In order to release the clamp arms, solenoid valve 110 d 1 is closed (via electrical signals from surface electronics 106 ), and solenoid valves 110 d 2 and 110 d 3 are in an open position. In this configuration, both sides of clamp pistons (e.g., piston 112 f shown in FIGS. 3A-3B ) have substantially equal pressure (i.e., wellbore pressure). A mechanical spring force from spring 112 h is used to retract the clamp aims, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B .
- each of solenoid valves 100 d 1 , 110 d 2 , and 110 d 3 are then closed.
- the well pressure decreases with depth as the sensor assemblies are lifted to a reduced depth.
- a positive pressure across the clamp pistons e.g., piston 112 f shown in FIGS. 3A-3B
- the retraction springs e.g., spring 112 h in FIGS. 3A-3B
- the pressure relief valve on release side is set to a slightly higher cracking pressure than the check valve on the clamping side, thereby providing a slightly higher pressure on the release side of the clamps throughout the entire retrieval to ensure that the clamps remain released.
- the sensing assemblies/tools described herein may include, for example, tools for sensing mechanical and/or acoustic vibration .
- Such tools may include electronic sensing elements (e.g., geophones), fiber optic sensing elements, among others.
- Exemplary fiber optic sensing elements include fiber optic transducers and accelerometers.
- Exemplary fiber optic transducers and accelerometers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0257208, titled “FIBER OPTIC TRANSDUCERS, FIBER OPTIC ACCELEROMETERS AND FIBER OPTIC SENSING SYSTEMS”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Exemplary applications for the sensing assemblies/tools include vertical seismic profiling (VSP), three dimensional sub-surface mapping, microseismic monitoring, machine vibration monitoring, civil structure (e.g., dams, bridges, levees, etc.) monitoring, tunnel detection, perimeter/border security, earthquake monitoring, borehole leak detection, amongst others.
- VSP vertical seismic profiling
- three dimensional sub-surface mapping microseismic monitoring
- machine vibration monitoring e.g., machine vibration monitoring
- civil structure e.g., dams, bridges, levees, etc.
- tunnel detection e.g., perimeter/border security
- earthquake monitoring e.g., borehole leak detection, amongst others.
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Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/024,044, filed on Jul. 14, 2014, the content of which is incorporated in this application by reference.
- This invention relates generally to the field of sensing systems, and more particularly, to improved transducers, accelerometers, and improved sensing systems.
- Clamping mechanisms are required to ensure that seismic monitoring tools (such as accelerometers and geophones) that are used for oil, gas and geothermal energy monitoring applications are well coupled, mechanically, to a borehole. The terms “borehole” and “wellbore” are used herein interchangeably Traditional clamps include: mechanical bow-spring, motor-driven arms, fixed magnet, and pneumatically-driven arms.
- Existing clamping methods suffer from limitations, such as: (1) high friction (i.e., drag) throughout the installation/retrieval which increases loads on cables and lifting hardware (e.g., crane, workover rig, etc.), and exacerbates cable torque due to constant resistance to twist at the casing; (2) high temperature limitations of electronics, for example, to 150° C. and less over extended periods of time; and (3) tangling of ancillary control lines (e.g., pneumatic lines) along the lead cable on structures such as blowout preventers, potentially resulting in control line damage.
- Thus, it would be desirable to provide improved borehole clamping systems to address these and other issues.
- According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a borehole clamping system is provided. The borehole clamping system includes: (a) a pressure actuated clamp (e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp) for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; (b) a fluid control unit (e.g., a hydraulic control unit, such as a hydraulic control module) configured for use within the borehole, the fluid control unit providing a fluid to the pressure actuated clamp, and controlling a pressure of the fluid; and (c) a surface electrical control unit (e.g.,
surface electronics 106 shown inFIG. 1 ) for controlling flow of the fluid, for example, through the operation of one or more valves (e.g., such as solenoid valves). - According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a clamping system within a borehole is provided. The method includes: (a) providing a pressure actuated clamp for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; (b) providing a fluid to the pressure actuated clamp, and controlling a pressure of the fluid, via a fluid control unit included within the borehole; and (c) controlling, via a surface electrical control unit, flow of the fluid from the fluid control unit to the pressure actuated clamp.
- According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a borehole clamping system is provided. The borehole clamping system includes a pressure actuated clamp (e.g., a hydraulically activated clamp) for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole, the pressure actuated clamp configured to be operated using wellbore (i.e., borehole) pressure.
- According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a clamping system within a borehole is provided. The method includes: (a) providing a pressure actuated clamp for clamping a sensor assembly in a borehole; and (b) operating the pressure actuated clamp via wellbore pressure.
- It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention.
- The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity purposes. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fluid control unit of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 3A-3B are block diagram views of a sensing assembly of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIGS. 4 is a block diagram schematic illustrating fluid flow of a borehole clamping system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. - According to certain exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates to passive energizing and release of clamps arms included in sensor assemblies. Only increased ambient (e.g., wellbore or borehole) pressure is used. Motors, pumps or other motive force producers may be avoided through the use of ambient pressure increased using a pressure converter. Because motors, pumps, etc. are avoided in the clamping operations, standard hybrid (e.g., electrical/optical) cable may be used to control the clamping action. Thus, ancillary lines (e.g., carrying hydraulic fluid) to the surface may be avoided in the lead cable. Rather, such ancillary lines may be included in the short lengths of interconnect cable. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, passive electronics may be utilized that are typically reliable at temperatures above 200° C. including solenoid valves. Check valves may be utilized to ensure that clamps remain released during installation, when large excursions of pressure and temperature are experienced by the system.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIG. 1 illustrates aborehole clamping system 100 installed in connection with aborehole 104. That is, a borehole (i.e., a wellbore) 104 is formed inearth 102.Sensor assemblies string including assemblies 112 a, . . . , 112 n) are lowered intoborehole 104 to sense vibration information withinborehole 104. In a specific example,borehole 104 may be provided in connection with gas and oil exploration, reservoir monitoring and production monitoring activities, andsensor assemblies - Each of the sensor assemblies is desirably securely positioned within
borehole 104. For example,sensor assembly 112 a includes aclamp arm 112 a 1 (e.g., a pressure actuated clamp) for securely pressingsensor assembly 112 a against a wall (e.g., a casing wall) 104 a ofborehole 104. The remaining sensor assemblies (e.g.,sensor assembly 112 n includingclamp arm 112 n 1) are also securely positioned withinborehole 104. - In the example shown in
FIG. 1 ,system 100 also includes surface electronics 106 (e.g., interrogation electronics for interrogating sensors insensor assemblies 112 a, . . . , 112 n and hydraulic control/monitoring electronics),lead cable 108, fluid control unit 110 (e.g., a hydraulic fluid control unit for operating and controlling hydraulically actuatedclamps 112 a 1, . . . , 112 n 1, etc.), and interconnectcables 114. In an exemplary application including fiber optic sensing of the sensor assemblies,lead cable 108 may include optical fibers for sending and receiving optical signals to fiber optic sensors within thesensor assemblies 112 a, . . . , 112 n 1.Lead cable 108 may also include, for example, electrical conductors, etc. for performing operations in connection with fluid control unit 110 (e.g., operating solenoid valves in fluid control unit 110). Depending on the application, interconnectcables 114 may carry, for example, fiber optic signals, hydraulic fluid, etc. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an example offluid control unit 110 fromFIG. 1 . In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention,fluid control unit 110 may be a hydraulic fluid control unit for controlling hydraulic fluid used to operate the various sensor assembly clamps.FIG. 2 illustrates an end oflead cable 108 entering into cable shroud 110 e 1 ofcontrol unit 110.Control unit 110 also includes apressure relief module 110 c (includingpressure relief valves 110c 1, 110c 2, and one or more electronic or opticalfiber pressure transducers 116 for monitoring fluid pressure at one or more locations shown inFIG. 4 ), asolenoid valve manifold 110 d (includingsolenoid control valves 110d 1, 110d d 3 and hydraulic lines to control the flow of hydraulic fluid for clamping and release functions), a pressure converter (e.g., a pressure intensifier) 110 a, anisolation device 110 b, and another cable shroud 110e 2 leading tointerconnect cable 114. Exemplary functions of certain of the elements ofcontrol unit 110 are explained below in connection with the example shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary operation ofclamp 112 a 1 ofsensor assembly 112 a (in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention whereclamp 112 a 1 ofsensor assembly 112 a is hydaulically actuated and controlled). Referring specifically toFIG. 3A ,sensor assembly 112 a is securely positioned inborehole 104 such thatfeet 112 d ofassembly 112 a are pressed against onewall 104 a ofborehole 104, andclamp arm 112 a 1 is pressed against anotherwall 104 a ofborehole 104.Fluid 116 a (e.g., an incompressible fluid, such as an incompressible hydraulic fluid) is injected through a hydraulic line intocylinder 112 e on the left side ofpiston 112 f (andfluid 116 b is likewise forced out on the right side of piston 1120. The addition offluid 116 a creates a positive differential acrosspiston 112 f, and therefore movespiston 112 f to the right, compressingspring 112 h and drivingpiston rod 112 g to the right, thereby actuatingclamp arm 112 a 1 (which is coupled and/or linked topiston rod 112 g), and pressingclamp arm 112 a 1 againstwall 104 a as shown inFIG. 3A . In this position, the sensing to be done bysensor 112 c (e.g., a fiber optic sensor including a fiber optic transducer and/or fiber optic accelerometer) included insensor assembly 112 a may be accomplished in connection withsurface electronics 106. - After the sensing is complete, and
sensor assembly 112 a is to be withdrawn from borehole 104 (e.g., along with other sensor assemblies in an array), the situation inFIG. 3B occurs. That is, fluid 116 b (e.g., an incompressible fluid) is injected intocylinder 112 e on the right side ofpiston 112 f (and fluid 116 a is likewise forced out on the left side ofpiston 112 f, for example, to substantially equalize fluid pressure on each side ofcylinder 112 e and likewise acrosspiston 112 f), allowingspring 112 h to naturally extend, thereby pushingpiston 112 f to the left and pullingpiston rod 112 g to the left, thereby retractingclamp arm 112 a 1 such thatclamp arm 112 a 1 does not press againstwall 104 a. Withclamp arm 112 a 1 in the retracted position shown inFIG. 3B ,sensor assembly 112 a may be withdrawn fromborehole 104. Whilesensor assembly 112 a is shown inFIGS. 3A-3B alone inborehole 104, it is understood thatsensor assembly 112 a may be part of a sensor array including a plurality of sensor assemblies, such as is shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 4 is a block diagram fluid schematic of an exemplary configuration offluid control unit 110 in a hydraulic fluid control configuration. Also shown are simplifiedsensors assemblies FIGS. 3A-3B ) included in borehole clamping system 100 (seeFIG. 1 ). In the example shown inFIG. 4 ,fluid control unit 110 includes apressure converter 110 a (e.g., a pressure intensifier) for operating the clamp arms ofsensor assemblies pressure converter 110 a includespiston 110 a 1 withincylinder 110 a 2. In the example shown inFIG. 4 ,pressure converter 110 a (intensifier) includes two coupled dissimilar diameter cylinder/piston assemblies for creating a higher pressure output compared to an input pressure. -
Unit 110 also includes anisolation device 110 b (e.g., a device for isolating the active fluid for driving pistons, such aspiston 112 f, from wellbore fluid, such as a mud piston system, etc.) having apiston 110 b 1 in acylinder 110b 2.Cylinder 110b 2 ofisolation device 110 b separates borehole fluid (at wellbore pressure) from working (clean) fluid with no pressure difference and serves as a reservoir to accommodate changes in overall system fluid volume.Unit 110 also includes:pressure relief valves 110 c 1, 100c 2;check valves 110 c 3, 110 c 4; andsolenoid valves 110d 1, 110d - During installation of the
sensor assemblies borehole 104, the hydraulics may be considered to be at surface ambient pressure. Solenoid operatedvalves 110d 1, 110d d 3 are closed (e.g., using surface electronics 106), such that theclamp arms 112 a 1, etc. are in a retracted position for lowering intoborehole 104. During the installation,check valves 110 c 3, 110 c 4 desirably ensure that both sides of clamp pistons (e.g., such aspiston 112 f shown inFIGS. 3A-3B ) are at approximately wellbore pressure. - After the sensor assemblies are lowered into
borehole 104, the wellbore pressure increases with hydrostatic pressure (or applied pressure, or both), resulting in an increase (amplification) in the pressure on the high pressure side (with the smaller piston/cylinder diameter) ofpressure converter 110 a (e.g., a pressure intensifier). Withsolenoid valves 110d 1 and 110d 3 now in an open position (controlled using electrical signals from surface electronics 106), the resulting fluid movement causes the clamping pistons (e.g.,piston 112 f shown inFIGS. 3A-3B ) to drive the clamp arms (e.g.,clamp arm 112 a 1) into an extended position (e.g., through the piston rods such asrod 112 g), such as the position shown inFIG. 3A .Solenoid valves 110d 1 and 110d 3 are then closed electrically (controlled using electrical signals from surface electronics 106) to ensure that the clamp arms remain extended for long periods of time. - In order to release the clamp arms,
solenoid valve 110 d 1 is closed (via electrical signals from surface electronics 106), andsolenoid valves 110d d 3 are in an open position. In this configuration, both sides of clamp pistons (e.g.,piston 112 f shown inFIGS. 3A-3B ) have substantially equal pressure (i.e., wellbore pressure). A mechanical spring force fromspring 112 h is used to retract the clamp aims, for example, as shown inFIG. 3B . - In order to retrieve the sensor assemblies from
borehole 104, each of solenoid valves 100d 1, 110d d 3 are then closed. The well pressure decreases with depth as the sensor assemblies are lifted to a reduced depth. A positive pressure across the clamp pistons (e.g.,piston 112 f shown inFIGS. 3A-3B ) works with the retraction springs (e.g.,spring 112 h inFIGS. 3A-3B ). The pressure relief valve on release side is set to a slightly higher cracking pressure than the check valve on the clamping side, thereby providing a slightly higher pressure on the release side of the clamps throughout the entire retrieval to ensure that the clamps remain released. - The sensing assemblies/tools described herein may include, for example, tools for sensing mechanical and/or acoustic vibration . Such tools may include electronic sensing elements (e.g., geophones), fiber optic sensing elements, among others. Exemplary fiber optic sensing elements include fiber optic transducers and accelerometers. Exemplary fiber optic transducers and accelerometers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0257208, titled “FIBER OPTIC TRANSDUCERS, FIBER OPTIC ACCELEROMETERS AND FIBER OPTIC SENSING SYSTEMS”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Exemplary applications for the sensing assemblies/tools (e.g., electronic sensing elements, fiber optic sensing elements, etc.) include vertical seismic profiling (VSP), three dimensional sub-surface mapping, microseismic monitoring, machine vibration monitoring, civil structure (e.g., dams, bridges, levees, etc.) monitoring, tunnel detection, perimeter/border security, earthquake monitoring, borehole leak detection, amongst others.
- Although illustrated and described above with reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (22)
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US201462024044P | 2014-07-14 | 2014-07-14 | |
US14/796,716 US20160010410A1 (en) | 2014-07-14 | 2015-07-10 | Borehole clamping systems and methods of operating the same |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180010407A1 (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2018-01-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Downhole Activation of Seismic Tools |
US20200088202A1 (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2020-03-19 | Axel Michael Sigmar | Integrated MVDC Electric Hydraulic Fracturing Systems and Methods for Control and Machine Health Management |
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US5212354A (en) * | 1991-02-07 | 1993-05-18 | Exxon Production Research Company | Apparatus and method for detecting seismic waves in a borehole using multiple clamping detector units |
US20040035634A1 (en) * | 2002-08-26 | 2004-02-26 | Horst Rueter | Pneumatically clamped wellbore seismic receiver |
-
2015
- 2015-07-10 US US14/796,716 patent/US20160010410A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5212354A (en) * | 1991-02-07 | 1993-05-18 | Exxon Production Research Company | Apparatus and method for detecting seismic waves in a borehole using multiple clamping detector units |
US20040035634A1 (en) * | 2002-08-26 | 2004-02-26 | Horst Rueter | Pneumatically clamped wellbore seismic receiver |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180010407A1 (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2018-01-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Downhole Activation of Seismic Tools |
US10550654B2 (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2020-02-04 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Downhole activation of seismic tools |
US20200088202A1 (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2020-03-19 | Axel Michael Sigmar | Integrated MVDC Electric Hydraulic Fracturing Systems and Methods for Control and Machine Health Management |
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