Patent Application
20230135161
In the resource recovery and fluid sequestration arts, it is often necessary to monitor pressures in the downhole environment. There are devices that measure tubing pressure. These are effective but the art would well receive alternative constructions that allow greater flexibility with fewer components and convertibility as well.
An embodiment of a convertible sensor module kit including a housing, a sensor port in the housing and having a seal block receptacle fluidly coupled to the sensor port, and a tubing pressure seal block or an annulus pressure seal block disposed in the receptacle.
An embodiment of a module for sensing annulus pressure comprising a housing, a sensor port in the housing and having a seal block receptacle fluidly coupled to the sensor port, and an annulus pressure seal block disposed in the receptacle, the block including a communication channel intersecting a monitor channel, the monitor channel in fluid pressure connection with the sensor port.
A method for determining a parameter in a borehole comprising determining a parameter of interest, selecting a seal block from the kit, installing the selected seal block in the housing, installing the housing on a tubing member to be monitored.
A borehole system comprising a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a module constructed using the kit, then module disposed in or as a part of the string.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
It has been determined by the inventors hereof that the prior art module 10 may be modified to allow for configurability in the field and to reduce inventory items if certain modifications are made to the prior art module 10 to create a new module 30 that it is alternatively capable of measuring or monitoring annulus pressure or measuring/monitoring tubing member pressure. Specifically, and referring now to
Advantageously, the end user may select either block 32 or block 18 to insert into the module 30 or 10, respectively, to monitor a pressure source (annulus or tubing, respectively), as desired. This may be done at a rig site in real time. The module may be sold as a kit including both blocks 18 and 32 so that configuration at the wellsite into a module 10 or a module 30 is an easily accomplished selection for an operator.
Referring to
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
Embodiment 1: A convertible sensor module kit including a housing, a sensor port in the housing and having a seal block receptacle fluidly coupled to the sensor port, and a tubing pressure seal block or an annulus pressure seal block disposed in the receptacle.
Embodiment 2: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the tubing pressure seal block includes a passage therein to connect tubing pressure to the sensor port.
Embodiment 3: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the annulus pressure seal block includes a communication channel therein to connect annulus pressure to the sensor port.
Embodiment 4: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the annulus pressure seal block includes a monitor conduit between the communication channel and the sensor port.
Embodiment 5: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the annulus pressure seal block includes an opening in addition to the communication channel feeding the monitor conduit.
Embodiment 6: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the annulus pressure seal block includes a recess therein, the recess providing resilience in the annulus seal block to energize a metal-to-metal seal between the seal block and a tubing member upon which the module kit is installed.
Embodiment 7: The module as in any prior embodiment wherein the receptacle is of dimensions larger than dimensions of the annulus pressure seal block.
Embodiment 8: A module for sensing annulus pressure comprising a housing, a sensor port in the housing and having a seal block receptacle fluidly coupled to the sensor port, and an annulus pressure seal block disposed in the receptacle, the block including a communication channel intersecting a monitor channel, the monitor channel in fluid pressure connection with the sensor port.
Embodiment 9: The module as in any prior embodiment further including an opening intersecting the monitor conduit.
Embodiment 10: A method for determining a parameter in a borehole comprising determining a parameter of interest, selecting a seal block from the kit as in any prior embodiment, installing the selected seal block in the housing, installing the housing on a tubing member to be monitored.
Embodiment 11: A borehole system comprising a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a module constructed using the kit as in any prior embodiment, then module disposed in or as a part of the string.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about”, “substantially” and “generally” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” and/or “generally” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
