U.S. patent application number 14/356991 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for system and method for detecting structural integrity of a well casing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Chevron U.S.A. Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.. Invention is credited to David William BECK, Melvin Clark THOMPSON.
Application Number | 20160003027 14/356991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51659017 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160003027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THOMPSON; Melvin Clark ; et
al. |
January 7, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A WELL
CASING
Abstract
This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting
structural integrity of a well casing. The system may detect casing
structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity events
may include structural failures of the casing and/or potential
structural failures of the casing. The well casing may be drilled
and/or otherwise embedded into a geologic structure. The well
casing may be subject to geologic forces generated by the geologic
structure. Unplanned and/or unexpected forces and/or movement may
pose a risk to the structural integrity of the casing. Forces
and/or movement of sufficient magnitude may result in damage to
and/or destruction of the casing. Damage to and/or destruction of
the casing may cause a loss of the natural resources being
extracted via the well associated with the well casing,
contamination of areas surrounding the well, undesirable surface
expression, and/or other negative effects.
Inventors: |
THOMPSON; Melvin Clark; (San
Ramon, CA) ; BECK; David William; (San Ramon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. |
San Ramon |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
San Ramon
CA
|
Family ID: |
51659017 |
Appl. No.: |
14/356991 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
March 12, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/023863 |
371 Date: |
May 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61777553 |
Mar 12, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/152.57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/007 20200501;
E21B 47/04 20130101; E21B 33/04 20130101; E21B 47/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/00 20060101
E21B047/00; E21B 47/04 20060101 E21B047/04; E21B 33/04 20060101
E21B033/04; E21B 47/06 20060101 E21B047/06 |
Claims
1. A system configured to detect structural integrity of a well
casing in a well, the system comprising: a conductive well casing
configured to surround conductive well tubing, the tubing being
configured to communicate liquid and/or gas from an underground
reservoir to above ground extraction equipment at or near a
wellhead, the casing being embedded in a geologic structure; one or
more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying
information related to a structural integrity of the casing and/or
a casing-tubing pair, and one or more processors configured to
detect casing structural integrity events based on the output
signals, and to generate casing structural integrity event
notifications that correspond to the detected casing structural
integrity events for delivery to a user responsive to the
detections, the casing structural integrity events including one or
both of structural failures of the casing or potential structural
failures of the casing.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
further configured to determine extraction parameters and to detect
the casing structural integrity events based on the extraction
parameters, the extraction parameters including information
indicating whether the well is operating in a production phase or a
pre-production phase.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to detect the casing structural integrity events based
on an algorithm, wherein the one or more processors determine
algorithm inputs based on the output signals.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include
one or more sensor types, the one or more sensors including fluid
level sensors, voltage sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors,
motion sensors, current sensors, and strain sensors.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include
two or more sensor types, the one or more sensors including fluid
level sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors, acoustic sensors,
pressure sensors, motion sensors, and strain sensors.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
configured such that the casing structural integrity events are
detected responsive to one or more forces acting on the casing, the
one or more forces including a shear force, a tensile force, a
compressive force, and a torsional force, the one or more forces
generated by the geologic structure surrounding the casing.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to cluster the information conveyed by the output
signals and detect the casing structural integrity events based on
the clustering, wherein clustering includes networking and/or
arranging the information conveyed by the output signals in a
multidimensional space.
8. The system of claim 1, where the one or more processors are
configured to generate casing structural integrity scores based on
the output signals, and detect the casing structural integrity
events based on the casing structural integrity scores.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
further configured to determine one or more well parameters based
on the output signals, the one or more well parameters including
one or more of a fluid level, a voltage, a current, an acoustic
parameter, a pressure, a motion parameter, or a strain level,
wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine well
parameter threshold levels, and wherein the one or more processors
are configured to detect the casing structural integrity events
responsive to the well parameters breaching the well parameter
threshold levels such that a first casing structural integrity
event is detected responsive to a first well parameter breaching a
first well parameter threshold level.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more
sensors is electrically coupled with the tubing and the casing
separately.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more
sensors is located in the wellhead.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are
located at one or more locations along the tubing within the
casing.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are
located within the casing at or near a tubing hanger between the
wellhead and the tubing, the tubing hanger being configured to
suspend the tubing in the casing.
14. A method for detecting structural integrity of a well casing in
a well, the method comprising: surrounding conductive well tubing
with a conductive well casing, the tubing being configured to
communicate liquid and/or gas from an underground reservoir to
above ground extraction equipment at a wellhead, the casing being
embedded in a geologic structure; generating output signals
conveying information related to a structural integrity of the
casing; detecting casing structural integrity events based on the
output signals, and generating casing structural integrity event
notifications that correspond to the detected casing structural
integrity events for delivery to a user responsive to the
detections, the casing structural integrity events including one or
both of structural failures of the casing or potential structural
failures of the casing.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining
extraction parameters and detecting the casing structural integrity
events based on the extraction parameters, the extraction
parameters including information indicating whether the well is
operating in a production phase or a pre-production phase.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting the casing
structural integrity events based on an algorithm, wherein the
algorithm inputs are determined based on the output signals.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, the one or more sensors
including one or more sensor types, the one or more sensors
including fluid level sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors,
acoustic sensors, pressure sensors, motion sensors, and strain
sensors.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, wherein the one or more
sensors include two or more sensor types, the one or more sensors
including fluid level sensors, voltage sensors, acoustic sensors,
pressure sensors, motion sensors, and strain sensors.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the casing structural integrity
events are detected responsive to one or more forces acting on the
casing, the one or more forces including a shear force, a torsional
force, a tensile force, and a compressive force, the one or more
forces generated by the geologic structure surrounding the
casing.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising clustering the
information conveyed by the output signals and detecting the casing
structural integrity events based on the clustering, wherein
clustering comprises arranging the information conveyed by the
output signals in a multidimensional space.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating casing
structural integrity scores based on the output signals, and
detecting the casing structural integrity events based on the
casing structural integrity scores.
22. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining one or
more well parameters based on the output signals, the one or more
well parameters including one or more of a fluid level, a voltage,
an acoustic parameter, a pressure, a motion parameter, or a strain
level, determining well parameter threshold levels, and detecting
the casing structural integrity events responsive to the well
parameters breaching the well parameter threshold levels such that
a first casing structural integrity event is detected responsive to
a first well parameter breaching a first well parameter threshold
level.
23. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, and electrically coupling
at least one of the one or more sensors with the tubing and the
casing separately.
24. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, wherein at least one of
the one or more sensors is located in the wellhead.
25. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, wherein the one or more
sensors are located at one or more locations along the tubing
within the casing.
26. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating the
output signals with one or more sensors, wherein the one or more
sensors are located within the casing at or near a tubing hanger
between the wellhead and the tubing, the tubing hanger being
configured to suspend the tubing in the casing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/777,553 filed Mar. 12, 2013,
entitled "System And Method For Detecting Structural Integrity Of A
Well Casing," which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting
structural integrity of a well casing. The system may detect casing
structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity events
may include structural failures of the casing and/or potential
structural failures of the casing related to the well tubing and/or
other attached parts of the well structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Systems for sensing characteristics inside a well are known.
An electrical connection to a well casing and a tubing string may
power a down hole gauge and/or actuator. Current systems typically
include gauges and/or actuators that monitor characteristics
related to the natural resources flowing through the well. The
current systems do not detect structural characteristics of the
well casing.
SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured
to detect structural integrity of a well casing in a well. The
system may comprise a conductive well casing, conductive tubing,
one or more sensors, one or more processors, and/or other
components.
[0005] The casing may be configured to surround the tubing. The
tubing may be configured to communicate liquid and/or gas from an
underground reservoir to above ground extraction equipment at or
near a wellhead. The casing may be embedded in a geologic
structure.
[0006] The one or more sensors may be configured to generate output
signals conveying information related to a structural integrity of
the casing. The one or more sensors may include fluid level
sensors, voltage sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors,
motion sensors, strain sensors, and/or other sensors. In some
implementations, the one or more sensors may include one or more
sensor types. In some implementations, the one or more sensors may
include two or more sensor types.
[0007] In some implementations, at least one of the one or more
sensors may be electrically coupled with the tubing and the casing
separately. At least one of the one or more sensors may be located
in the wellhead. The one or more sensors may be located at one or
more locations along the tubing within the casing. The one or more
sensors may be located within the casing at or near a tubing hanger
between the wellhead and the tubing. The tubing hanger may be
configured to suspend the tubing in the casing.
[0008] The one or more processors may be configured to detect
casing structural integrity events based on the output signals. The
one or more processors may be configured to generate casing
structural integrity event notifications. The casing structural
event notifications may correspond to the detected casing
structural integrity events. The notifications may be generated for
delivery to a user responsive to the detections. The casing
structural integrity events may include structural failures of the
casing, potential structural failures of the casing, and/or other
events. In some implementations, the one or more processors may be
configured such that the casing structural integrity events are
detected responsive to one or more forces acting on the casing. The
one or more forces may include a shear force, a tensile force, a
compressive force, a torsional force, and/or other forces. The one
or more forces may be generated by the geologic structure
surrounding the casing.
[0009] In some implementations, the one or more processors may be
configured to determine extraction parameters and to detect the
casing structural integrity events based on the extraction
parameters. The extraction parameters may include information
indicating whether the well is operating in a production phase or a
pre-production phase, and/or other information.
[0010] In some implementations, the one or more processors may be
configured to detect the casing structural integrity events based
on an algorithm. The one or more processors may determine algorithm
inputs based on the output signals. In some implementations, the
one or more processors may be configured to cluster the information
conveyed by the output signals and detect the casing structural
integrity events based on the clustering. Clustering may comprise
arranging the information conveyed by the output signals in a
multidimensional space.
[0011] In some implementations, the one or more processors may be
configured to generate casing structural integrity scores based on
the output signals. The one or more processors may be configured to
detect the casing structural integrity events based on the casing
structural integrity scores.
[0012] In some implementations, the one or more processors may be
configured to determine one or more well parameters based on the
output signals. The one or more well parameters may include one or
more of a fluid level, a voltage, an acoustic parameter, a
pressure, a motion parameter, a strain level, and/or other
parameters. The one or more processors may be configured to
determine well parameter threshold levels. The one or more
processors may be configured to detect the casing structural
integrity events responsive to the well parameters breaching the
well parameter threshold levels.
[0013] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to method for
detecting structural integrity of a well casing in a well. The
method may comprise surrounding conductive well tubing with a
conductive well casing. The tubing may be configured to communicate
liquid and/or gas from an underground reservoir to above ground
extraction equipment at a wellhead. The casing may be embedded in a
geologic structure.
[0014] The method may comprise generating output signals conveying
information related to a structural integrity of the casing. The
method may include generating the output signals with one or more
sensors. The one or more sensors may include fluid level sensors,
voltage sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors, motion
sensors, strain sensors, and/or other sensors. The one or more
sensors may include one or more sensor types. The one or more
sensors may include two or more sensor types.
[0015] In some implementations, the method may include electrically
coupling at least one of the one or more sensors with the tubing
and the casing separately. At least one of the one or more sensors
may be located in the wellhead. The one or more sensors may be
located at one or more locations along the tubing within the
casing. The one or more sensors may be located within the casing at
or near a tubing hanger between the wellhead and the tubing. The
tubing hanger may be configured to suspend the tubing in the
casing.
[0016] The method may comprise detecting casing structural
integrity events based on the output signals. The casing structural
integrity events may be detected responsive to one or more forces
acting on the casing. The one or more forces may include a shear
force, a tensile force, a compressive force, a torsional force,
and/or other forces. The one or more forces may be generated by the
geologic structure surrounding the casing.
[0017] The method may comprise generating casing structural
integrity event notifications that correspond to the detected
casing structural integrity events for delivery to a user
responsive to the detections. The casing structural integrity
events may include structural failures of the casing, potential
structural failures of the casing, and/or other events.
[0018] In some implementations, the method may include determining
extraction parameters and detecting the casing structural integrity
events based on the extraction parameters. The extraction
parameters may include information indicating whether the well is
operating in a production phase or a pre-production phase.
[0019] The method may include detecting casing structural integrity
events based on an algorithm. The algorithm inputs may be
determined based on the output signals.
[0020] In some implementations, the method may include clustering
the information conveyed by the output signals and detecting the
casing structural integrity events based on the clustering.
Clustering may comprise arranging the information conveyed by the
output signals in a multidimensional space.
[0021] In some implementations, the method may include generating
casing structural integrity scores based on the output signals, and
detecting casing structural integrity events based on the casing
structural integrity scores.
[0022] In some implementations, the method may include determining
one or more well parameters based on the output signals. The one or
more well parameters may include a fluid level, a voltage, an
acoustic parameter, a pressure, a motion parameter, a strain level,
and/or other parameters. The method may include determining well
parameter threshold levels, and detecting the casing structural
integrity events responsive to the well parameters breaching the
well parameter threshold levels.
[0023] These and other features, and characteristics of the present
technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following description and the appended claims
with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a
part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the
specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an",
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to detect structural
integrity of a well casing.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of multiple
sensors.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a natural resource field that includes
multiple wells.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for detecting structural
integrity of a well casing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 configured to detect
structural integrity of a well casing 12 in a well 8. Well 8 may be
configured to extract minerals from an underground mineral
reservoir. During mineral extraction, well 8 may be configured to
communicate liquid and/or gas from the underground reservoir to
above ground extraction equipment 16 at or near a wellhead 28. Well
8 may be drilled and/or otherwise embedded into a geologic
structure. Well 8 may be subject to geologic forces generated by
the geologic structure. Unplanned and/or unexpected forces and/or
movement may pose a risk to the structural integrity of casing 12.
Forces and/or movement of sufficient magnitude may result in damage
to and/or destruction of casing 12. Damage to and/or destruction of
casing 12 may cause a loss of the natural resources being extracted
via well 8, contamination of areas surrounding well 8, undesirable
surface expression, and/or other negative effects.
[0029] System 10 may be configured to detect casing structural
integrity events and generate casing structural integrity event
notifications that correspond to the detected casing structural
integrity events. The casing structural integrity events may
include structural failures of casing 12, potential structural
failures of casing 12, and/or other events. In some
implementations, system 10 may comprise casing 12, tube 14, one or
more sensors 18, one or more processors 20, user interface 22,
and/or other components.
[0030] Casing 12 may surround tube 14, sensors 18, and/or other
components of system 10. Casing 12 may line a borehole and provide
structural support for well 8. Casing 12 may separate well 8 from
the geologic structure. The geologic structure may include
subsurface materials (e.g., rocks, dirt, etc.), water (e.g., in the
case of a well in the ocean floor), and/or other environmental
materials. Casing 12 may be made from a conductive material such as
steel and/or other materials.
[0031] Tube 14 may be configured to communicate liquid and/or gas
during mineral extraction. Tube 14 may be configured to communicate
liquid and/or gas from the underground reservoir to above ground
extraction equipment 16 at or near wellhead 28. Tube 14 may be a
tubing string. The tubing string may include a series of coupled
tubes. The series of tubes may be coupled via threaded ends of each
tube and/or other coupling mechanisms. In some implementations, the
series of coupled tubes may be a series of coupled tubing joints.
The joints may include, for example, a pup joint. Tube 14 may be
made from electrically conductive materials such as steel and/or
other electrically conductive materials.
[0032] As described above, tube 14 may be provided within casing
12. Providing tube 14 within casing 12 may create an inner annular
space between the outer surface of tube 14 and casing 12. One or
more centralizers may be configured to maintain tube 14 in the
annular space to maintain a physical separation between tube 14 and
casing 12. The centralizers may couple with the outside diameter of
tube 14 via one or more coupling devices. The coupling devices may
include, for example, a clamp, a collar, a latch, a hook, adhesive,
and/or other coupling devices. The centralizers may be configured
to engage casing 12 at various locations in well 8 to maintain a
physical separation between tube 14 and casing 12. The centralizers
may include, for example, bow spring centralizers, floating
collars, fixed position devices, mixed dielectric centralizers,
and/or other centralizers. In some implementations, the
centralizers may be made from one or more conductive materials such
as steel and/or other materials. In some implementations, the
centralizers may be made from non-conductive materials.
[0033] Tube 14 may cooperate with casing 12 to form a coaxial
transmission line. One or more electrical loads (e.g., sensors 18)
disposed within well 8 may be powered via the coaxial transmission
line formed by casing 12 and tube 14 without the need for
electrical wiring. Casing 12 and tube 14 may be configured such
that voltage and/or current across casing 12 and tube 14 are
sufficient to power the electrical load(s). In some
implementations, tube 14 may have a positive polarity and casing 12
may have a negative polarity. In some implementations, an
electrical load may be electrically coupled with the electrically
positive tube 14 and separately with the electrically negative
casing 12 such that the load is powered via the connections.
[0034] Sensors 18 may be configured to generate output signals
conveying information related to the structural integrity of casing
12. The output signals may include output signals related to the
casing-tubing pair. The information related to the structural
integrity of casing 12 may comprise information related to
structural failures of casing 12, information related to potential
structural failures of casing 12, and/or other information. The
information related to structural failures and/or the potential
structural failures may include information related to movement of
casing 12, tube 14, and/or other components of well 8. The
information related to structural failures and/or the potential
structural failures may include information related to physical
defects and/or a potential for physical defects in casing 12. The
physical defects may include, for example, breaks, cracks, holes,
deformations, loss of centralization, and/or other defects. Sensors
18 may comprise one or more sensors that measure such information
directly (e.g., through direct contact with casing 12). Sensors 18
may comprise one or more sensors that generate output signals
related to the structural integrity of casing 12 indirectly. For
example, one or more of sensors 18 may generate an output based on
a characteristic of tube 14 (e.g., an amount of electrical current
running through tube 14) and/or based on a characteristic of the
liquid and/or gas in tube 14 (e.g., a fluid level).
[0035] In some implementations, sensors 18 may include a single
sensor type. Sensors 18 may include, for example, fluid level
sensors, voltage sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors,
motion sensors, strain sensors, force sensors, flow sensors,
composition sensors, temperature sensors, strain gauges,
accelerometers, and/or other sensors. For example, sensors 18 may
include one or more strain gauges coupled with the tube 14 and/or
casing 12.
[0036] In some implementations, sensors 18 may include two or more
different sensor types. For example, fluid level sensors may
generate output signals conveying information related to a fluid
level in well 8. In some implementations, the fluid level
information may be indicative of casing 12 collapse, pressure in
the casing, sheer forces acting on the casing, an electrical short
between tubing 14 and casing 12, an open breach of the wall of
casing 12, and/or other phenomena. A current sensor (e.g., a
transformer) on tube 14 may generate output signals conveying
information related to voltage and/or current changes in an
otherwise closed circuit (e.g., due to movement, damage, etc.).
This could be multiplexed in more than one mode (sourced or
passive). The passive mode may behave like a voltage and/or current
receiver. The voltage and/or current sensors may be located just
below a tubing hanger 13. Hanger 13 may be configured to suspend
the tube 14 in casing 12. An acoustic sensor (e.g., an
accelerometer and/or a microphone) may be mounted to tube 14,
hanger 13, in and/or near wellhead 28, and/or at other locations.
The spectral character of the monitored sound may include
mechanical motion and/or resonance information related to the
structural integrity of casing 12. One or more pressure sensors
mounted in well 8 (e.g., in the annular space between tube 14 and
casing 12, within tube 14, etc.) may convey information related to
the pressure in those areas of well 8, and/or the stability of
those pressures. For example, an unstable pressure may indicate
that a structural integrity event has occurred and/or is about to
occur. A motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) may generate output
signals related to movement of casing 12, tube 14, and/or other
components of well 8. Strain gages affixed to tube 14 may generate
output signals conveying information related to internal stresses
and/or strains.
[0037] Sensors 18 are illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above at
various locations within system 10. In some implementations, at
least one of sensors 18 may be electrically coupled with tube 14
and casing 12 separately. At least one of sensors 18 may be located
in wellhead 28. Sensors 18 may be located at one or more locations
along tube 14 within casing 12. In some implementations, one or
more of the sensors may communicate via tube 14. Sensors 18 may be
located within casing 12 at or near tubing hanger 13 between
wellhead 28 and tube 14.
[0038] For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a possible configuration of
multiple sensors 18. A sensor assembly 200 may be packaged as a
small "launcher" on a four foot sub 204. The sensors shown in FIG.
2 are examples of the sensors that may be included in such an
assembly and are not intended to be limiting. Assembly 200 may
include other sensors not shown in FIG. 2. The sensors shown in
FIG. 2 include a strain sensor 210 (e.g., a strain gauge) and a
current sensor 212. The current sensor may include, for example, an
RF/AC transformer coupled current monitor including a magnetic core
on tube 14. Assembly 200 may be compactly located at or near an
underside 206 of tubing hanger 13. In some implementations,
assembly 200 may include feed-thru capability in hanger 13 for wire
leads 216. In some implementations, an acoustic transducer (not
shown in FIG. 2) may be mounted on the top of hanger 13. In some
implementations, the transducer may be thermally isolated. The
collective electronics for assembly 200 may be packaged in a small
enclosure. In some implementations, sensor assembly 200 may be
powered by a battery, solar power, and/or other power
sources/supplies. In some implementations, sensor assembly 200 may
require a relatively low amount of power. For example, sensor
assembly 200 may require about 5 to 10 watts. In some
implementations, sensor assembly 200 may include power management
and RF source generation circuitry not shown in FIG. 2.
[0039] Returning to FIG. 1, sensors 18 may include sensors disposed
in a plurality of alternate locations in addition to and/or instead
of those shown in FIG. 1. For example, sensors may be disposed
within extraction equipment 16, and/or in other locations. In some
implementations, tube 14, casing 12, a conductive centralizer,
and/or other components of well 8 may be configured to provide a
signal path for the output signals.
[0040] Processor 20 may be configured to provide information
processing capabilities in system 10. As such, processor 20 may
include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a
digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit
designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other
mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although
processor 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is for
illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor 20
may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units
may be physically located within the same device, or processor 20
may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices
operating in coordination. Processor 20 may be configured to
execute one or more computer program modules. Individual ones the
computer program modules may be configured to provide at least a
portion of the functionality attributed herein to processor 20.
Processor 20 may be configured to execute the one or more computer
program modules by software; hardware; firmware; some combination
of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for
configuring processing capabilities on processor 20. It should be
appreciated that the modules may be co-located within a single
processing unit, and/or one or more of the modules may be located
remotely from the other modules. In some implementations, processor
20 may be integrated with extraction equipment 16, user interface
22, and/or other components of system 10.
[0041] Processor 20 may be configured to detect casing structural
integrity events based on the output signals from sensors 18 and/or
other information. In some implementations, the casing structural
integrity events may include structural failures of the casing,
potential structural failures of the casing, and/or other casing
structure failure events. The casing structural integrity events
may be detected responsive to one or more forces acting on casing
12. The one or more forces may include a shear force, a tensile
force, a compressive force, a torsional force, and/or other forces.
The one or more forces may be generated by the geologic structure
surrounding casing 12. For example, geologic layers and/or strata
may shift on each other creating shear forces that act on casing
12. Processor 20 may be configured to generate casing structural
integrity event notifications that correspond to the detected
casing structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity
event notifications may be generated for delivery to a user
responsive to the detections. Processor 20 may be configured to
control user interface 22 to display the notifications generated by
processor 20.
[0042] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
detect casing structural integrity events based on the output
signals from a single type of sensors 18 (e.g., strain sensors). In
some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to detect
casing structural integrity events based on the output signals from
at two or more different types of sensors 18. Processor 20 may be
configured to process the information conveyed by the output
signals of the two or more different types of sensors to detect
casing structural integrity events. For example, processor 20 may
be configured such that processing the information includes
determining baseline well information, detecting casing structural
integrity events based on an algorithm, detecting casing structural
integrity events by clustering the information conveyed by the
output signals in a multidimensional space, determining a casing
structural integrity score and/or other metrics related to casing
structural integrity, determining well parameters, monitoring
change in the determined parameters (e.g., rate of change, standard
deviation, and/or other measurements of change), determining well
parameter thresholds, and/or other information processing. In some
implementations, processing the information may include determining
other information based on an integration and/or conglomeration of
the information conveyed by the output signals.
[0043] In some implementations, determining baseline well
information may include determining information that indicates
normal operation of well 8. The information that indicates normal
operation of well 8 may be determined by, for example, monitoring
and evaluating multiple wells during various seasons of the year,
at various production levels, and/or in various geographic
locations. In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured
such that determining baseline well information may include
determining extraction parameters. The extraction parameters may
include information indicating whether the well is operating in a
production phase, a pre-production phase, and/or other phases. For
example, the extraction parameters may include parameters related
to whether or not liquid and/or gas is actively flowing through
tube 14. In some implementations, the baseline well information for
normal operation of well 8 during the pre-production may be
different than during the production phase. Processor 20 may be
configured to detect the casing structural integrity events based
on the extraction parameters. For example, processor 20 may be
configured to determine that well 8 is in a pre-production phase
based on the extraction parameters. Processor 20 may detect a
casing structural integrity event responsive to the information
conveyed by the output signals of sensors 18 being outside the
normal well information range for the pre-production phase.
[0044] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
detect the casing structural integrity events based on an
algorithm. Processor 20 may determine algorithm inputs based on the
output signals. In some implementations, processor 20 may be
configured such that the algorithm may be configured to indicate
whether a casing structural integrity event has occurred and/or
will occur. The algorithm may be configured to indicate one or more
structural integrity events occurring at one or more locations in
casing 12. Algorithm inputs may include information conveyed by the
output signals of sensors 18, baseline well information determined
by processor 20, one or more extraction parameters determined by
processor 20, one or more well parameters determined by processor
20, and/or other inputs. The one or more well parameters may
include, for example, a fluid level, a voltage, an acoustic
parameter, a pressure, a motion parameter, a strain level, and/or
other parameters. Algorithm inputs may include currently determined
information (e.g., the spectral character of current well noise)
and/or previously determined information (e.g., the normal spectral
character of well noise). In some implementations, the algorithm
may include and/or represent an electronic model of well 8. In some
implementations, the electronic model may be a mathematical model.
The mathematical model may include multi-dimensional model-based
algorithms and/or other algorithms configured to interpret the
output signals generated by sensors 18.
[0045] By way of a non-limiting example, processor 20 may be
configured to determine a fluid level in well 8, a strain level in
tube 14, and the spectral character of current noise in well 8
based on the output signals generated by three different types of
sensors 18. The fluid level, the strain level, and the spectral
character of the noise may be algorithm inputs. Processor 20 may be
configured such that the algorithm indicates that a structural
integrity event is about to occur based on the fluid level, the
strain level, and the spectral character inputs. In this example,
processor 20 may not have detected the structural integrity event
based on the fluid level, the strain level, and or the spectral
character of the noise alone. But as inputs to the algorithm, the
fluid level, the strain level, and the spectral character of the
noise together indicated the structural integrity event. The three
types of information used in this example are not intended to be
limiting. The algorithm may be configured to indicate structural
integrity events based on any amount and/or type of input.
[0046] In some implementations, the algorithm may include one or
more algorithms. The one or more algorithms may be determined at
manufacture, programmed, adjusted, uploaded, and/or updated by a
user via user interface 22, and/or determined by other methods.
[0047] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
cluster the information conveyed by the output signals. Processor
20 may be configured to detect the casing structural integrity
events based on the clustering. Clustering may comprise arranging
the information conveyed by the output signals in a
multidimensional space. Arranging the information in the
multidimensional space may comprise grouping the information
conveyed by the output signals of sensors 18 into separate data
clusters based on similarities in the information conveyed by the
output signals. Similarities in the data may indicate, for example,
that well 8 is operating normally. In some implementations,
processor 20 may be configured to cluster information conveyed by
the output signals of sensors 18 that indicates well 8 is operating
normally into a first data cluster and information that indicates a
casing structural integrity event into one or more additional data
clusters. The information conveyed by the output signals of sensors
18 may be clustered by processor 20 based on statistical
similarities in the information, magnitudes and/or directions of
vectors that represent the information in the multidimensional
space, and/or other information. Clustering may be known as
networking in some implementations.
[0048] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
generate casing structural integrity scores based on the output
signals. Processor 20 may be configured to detect the casing
structural integrity events based on the casing structural
integrity scores. In some implementations, the casing structural
integrity scores may be individual values related to individual
structural integrity events. In some implementations, the casing
structural integrity scores may be individual values that indicate
a likelihood that a structural integrity event has occurred and/or
will occur. In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured
such that the casing structural integrity scores comprise weighted
structural integrity scores. A weighted structural integrity score
may comprise a collection of individually weighted scores based on
information conveyed by the output signals from individual ones of
the different types of sensors 18 (e.g., fluid level, strain, etc.)
The individually weighted scores may be weighted based on
individual relationships between the information conveyed by the
output signals from specific sensors 18 and whether that
information has more or less importance relative to a specific
casing structural integrity event. Processor 20 may be configured
to determine the importance of the information conveyed by the
output signals from specific sensors 18 based on input from user
interface 22, information determined at manufacture, and/or other
information.
[0049] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
determine one or more well parameters based on the output signals.
As described above, the one or more well parameters may include a
fluid level, a voltage, an acoustic parameter, a pressure, a motion
parameter, a strain level, and/or other parameters.
[0050] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
monitor change in the determined parameters. Monitoring change may
include, analyzing the determined parameters, comparing currently
determined parameters to previously determined parameters,
generating one or more graphics showing change in a given parameter
over time, and/or other monitoring. For example, processor 20 may
be configured to analyze the determined parameters by determining a
rate of change, a standard deviation, a moving average, and/or
other determinations representative of change for a given
parameter. Processor 20 may be configured to generate a two
dimensional graph showing a level of a given parameter over time.
Change may be monitored based on various increments of time. Change
may be monitored on a yearly basis, a monthly basis, a weekly
basis, a daily basis, an hourly basis, a minute by minute basis, a
second by second basis, and/or based on other increments of time.
For example, a current pressure may be compared to a previous
pressure that was determined one second prior to the current
pressure. A current amount of strain may be represented on a two
dimensional graph with prior strain levels determined one day, one
week, one month, and one year prior to the current strain
level.
[0051] In some implementations, processor 20 may be configured to
determine well parameter threshold levels, and to detect the casing
structural integrity events responsive to the well parameters
breaching the well parameter threshold levels. For example, a first
casing structural integrity event may be detected responsive to a
first well parameter breaching a first well parameter threshold
level. As a second example, a second casing structural integrity
event may be detected responsive to the first well parameter
breaching the first well parameter threshold level and a second
well parameter breaching a second well parameter threshold level.
Processor 20 may be configured to detect casing structural
integrity events based on any number well parameters breaching any
number of well parameter threshold levels. For example, processor
20 may detect a casing structural integrity event responsive to six
different well parameters breaching six corresponding well
parameter threshold levels. In some implementations, the well
parameter threshold levels may be determined at manufacture,
programmed, adjusted, uploaded, and/or updated by a user via user
interface 22, and/or determined by other methods.
[0052] User interface 22 may be configured to facilitate delivery
of casing structural integrity event notifications generated by
processor 20 and/or other information to users. User interface 22
may be configured to receive entry and/or selection of information
from users. User interface 22 may be configured to receive entry
and/or selection of control inputs from users that facilitate
operation of well 8 such that the users may adjust and/or cease the
operation of well 8 if necessary, responsive to receiving casing
structural integrity event notifications. Users may include well
site managers, remote operators, petroleum engineers, and/or other
users. This enables data, cues, results, notifications,
instructions, and/or any other communicable items, collectively
referred to as "information," to be communicated between users and
processor 20, extraction equipment 16, and/or other components of
system 10. Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in
user interface 22 comprise a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard,
knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, a
microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, a printer, a
tactile feedback device, and/or other interface devices. In some
implementations, user interface 22 comprises a plurality of
separate interfaces. In some implementations, user interface 22
comprises at least one interface that is provided integrally with
processor 20 and/or extraction equipment 16.
[0053] It is to be understood that other communication techniques,
either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated by the present
disclosure as user interface 22. For example, the present
disclosure contemplates that user interface 22 may be integrated
with a removable electronic storage interface disposed in
extraction equipment 16. In this example, information may be loaded
into system 10 from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, a flash
drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) to
customize the implementation of system 10. Other exemplary input
devices and techniques adapted for use with system 10 as user
interface 22 comprise, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF
link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable or other). In short, any
technique for communicating information with system 10 is
contemplated by the present disclosure as user interface 22.
[0054] In some implementations, extraction equipment 16 may include
equipment configured to manage operation of well 8. Managing the
operation of well 8 may include drawing liquid and/or gas through
well 8, storing the liquid and/or gas, monitoring well 8, powering
well 8, preparing well 8 for production, analyzing data related to
the operation of well 8, and/or other activities. Such equipment
may include pumps, piping, wiring, liquid and/or gas storage
devices, power supplies, data processing equipment (e.g., one or
more computers and/or processors), communication equipment,
cameras, safety systems, well control devices, and/or other
extraction equipment. For example, a well power supply may be
configured to supply a positive polarity to tube 14 and a negative
polarity to casing 12. As another example, user interface 22 may be
provided by extraction equipment 16.
[0055] Wellhead 28 may be located at the surface of well 8.
Wellhead 28 may be configured to suspend tube 14 and/or casing 12
in well 8. Wellhead 28 may be a structural interface between tube
14 and extraction equipment 16 configured to couple tube 14 with
extraction equipment 16. Wellhead 28 may be configured to contain
pressure present in well 8. Wellhead 28 may be configured to
provide physical access to well 8 including access to annular
space(s) between casing 12 and/or tube 14. Wellhead 28 may be
configured to provide electrical ports that are electrically
coupled with tube 14, casing 12, sensors 18, and/or other
components of system 10.
[0056] Extraction equipment 16, sensors 18, processor 20, user
interface 22, and/or other components of system 10 may be
operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links.
Such electronic communication links may be wired and/or wireless.
For example, such electronic communication links may be
established, at least in part, via a network and/or other links. In
some implementations, extraction equipment 16, sensors 18,
processor 20, and/or user interface 22, may be configured to
communicate directly. It will be appreciated that this is not
intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure
includes implementations in which extraction equipment 16, sensors
18, processor 20, user interface 22, and/or other components of
system 10 may be operatively linked via some other communication
media, or with linkages not shown in FIG. 1.
[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates a natural resource field 300 that
includes multiple wells 8. Sensors 18 and/or the other components
of system 10 may be located at the individual wells 8 and generate
output signals conveying information related to the structural
integrity of the casings of the individual wells 8 to processor 20.
Such an arrangement of sensors 18 and/or wells 8 in natural
resource field 300 may facilitate mapping geologic behavior of
field 300. Geologic behavior may include, for example, geologic
movement, temperature changes, pressure changes, satellite provided
geologic data, GPS data, and/or other geologic behavior. In some
implementations, the information generated for each well 8 may be
time synchronized by processor 20 such that geologic events may be
detected and/or predicted in the areas of natural resource field
300 that are not directly instrumented. Notifications related to
the geologic behavior of natural resource field 300 may be
generated by processor 20 for delivery to a user via user interface
22, for example.
[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for detecting structural
integrity of a well casing in a well. The operations of method 400
presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some
implementations, method 400 may be accomplished with one or more
additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of
the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the
operations of method 400 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and described
herein is not intended to be limiting.
[0059] In some implementations, method 400 may be implemented in
one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an
analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process
information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a
state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically
processing information). The one or more processing devices may
include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations
of method 400 in response to instructions stored electronically on
one or more electronic storage mediums. The one or more processing
devices may include one or more devices configured through
hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for
execution of one or more of the operations of method 400.
[0060] At an operation 402, conductive well tubing may be
surrounded with a conductive well casing. The tubing may be
configured to communicate liquid and/or gas from an underground
reservoir to above ground extraction equipment at a wellhead. In
some implementations, the tubing may be a tubing string. The casing
may be embedded in a geologic structure. In some implementations,
operation 402 may be performed by a well casing the same as or
similar to casing 12 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).
[0061] At an operation 404, output signals conveying information
related to a structural integrity of the casing may be generated.
The output signals may be generated with one or more sensors. In
some implementations, the one or more sensors may include one or
more sensor types. In some implementations, the one or more sensors
may include two or more sensor types. The sensor types may include
fluid level sensors, voltage sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure
sensors, motion sensors, strain sensors, and/or other sensors. The
sensors may be located at various locations in and/or near the
well. At least one of the sensors may be electrically coupled with
the well tubing and the well casing separately. At least one of the
sensors may be located in the wellhead. The one or more sensors may
be located at one or more locations along the tubing within the
casing. The one or more sensors may be located within the well
casing at or near a tubing hanger between the wellhead and the well
tubing. The tubing hanger may be configured to suspend the tubing
in the casing. In some implementations, operation 404 may be
performed by sensors the same as or similar to sensors 18 (shown in
FIG. 1 and described herein).
[0062] At an operation 406, casing structural integrity events may
be detected. The casing structural integrity events may be detected
based on the output signals. The casing structural integrity events
may be detected responsive to one or more forces acting on the well
casing. The one or more forces may include a shear force, a tensile
force, and a compressive force, a torsional force, and/or other
forces. The one or more forces may be generated by the geologic
structure surrounding the casing.
[0063] In some implementations, extraction parameters may be
determined at operation 406. The extraction parameters may be
determined based on the output signals and/or other information.
Detecting the well casing structural integrity events may be based
on the extraction parameters. The extraction parameters may include
information indicating whether the well is operating in a
production phase or a pre-production phase. In some
implementations, the casing structural integrity events may be
detected based on an algorithm. The algorithm inputs may be
determined based on the output signals. In some implementations, at
operation 406, the information conveyed by the output signals may
be clustered and/or networked. Detecting the casing structural
integrity events may be, based on the clustering. Clustering may
comprise arranging the information conveyed by the output signals
in a multidimensional space. In some implementations, at operation
406, casing structural integrity scores may be generated based on
the output signals. Detecting the casing structural integrity
events may be based on the casing structural integrity scores. In
some implementations, at operation 406, one or more well parameters
may be determined based on the output signals. The one or more well
parameters may include one or more of a fluid level, a voltage, an
acoustic parameter, a pressure, a motion parameter, a strain level,
and/or other parameters. Well parameter threshold levels may be
determined and the casing structural integrity events may be
detected responsive to the well parameters breaching the well
parameter threshold levels. For example, a first casing structural
integrity event may be detected responsive to a first well
parameter breaching a first well parameter threshold level.
[0064] In some implementations, operation 406 may be performed by a
processor the same as or similar to processor 20 (shown in FIG. 1
and described herein).
[0065] At an operation 408, casing structural integrity event
notifications that correspond to the detected casing structural
integrity events may be generated. The notifications may be
generated for delivery to a user responsive to the detections. The
well casing structural integrity events may include one or both of
structural failures of the casing and/or potential structural
failures of the casing. In some implementations, operation 408 may
be performed by a processor the same as or similar to processor 20
(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).
[0066] Although the present technology has been described in detail
for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently
considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations,
it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose
and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed
implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be
understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the
extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be
combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
* * * * *