Patent Application
20190114586
The present application relates to tracking systems, and more particularly, to identification and tracking systems for tubular goods.
This section is intended to introduce various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
The oil and gas industry is drilling upstream production wells of increasing depth and complexity to find and produce raw hydrocarbons. The industry routinely uses steel pipe, considered an Oil Country Tubular Good (OCTG) to protect the borehole (i.e., casing) and to control the fluids produced within the pipe (i.e., tubing). Such tubular goods, including casing and tubing, are made and transported in relatively short segments and installed in the borehole one segment at a time, with each segment being connected to the next.
Depending on the different environments of a borehole, conditions for production, and other demands of a customer, various types of pipe may be ordered and transported. Additionally, large quantities of pipe may be needed for relatively deeper wells. The large quantity and variety of tubular goods may result in logistical challenges in the OCTG industry. For example, manufacturers, distributors, and end users may all benefit from more efficient techniques for identifying and tracking pipe. Systems for efficiently identifying various attributes of a segment of pipe, and tracking its source, location, and destination may be developed to meet industry demands.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one embodiment, an identification and tracking system includes a non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium having executable computer code stored thereon, the code comprising instructions that causes one or more processors to generate a pipe ID to be correlated with a pipe. The pipe ID is unique to the pipe. The one or more processors further accept pipe information specific to the pipe and identify the pipe information specific to the pipe with the pipe ID. The processors also output the pipe ID and associated pipe information to a database configured to store multiple pipe IDs and output pip information associated with one or more requested pipe IDs.
In some embodiments, the identification and tracking system stores pipe information including pipe dimensions, pipe composition, pipe treatment details, pipe testing results, pipe order number, bill of lading number, pipe manufacturing location, pipe treatment location, pipe delivery destination, or combinations thereof. The system may be configured to accept one or more components of pipe information at different times, and associate the one or more components of pipe information with the pipe ID. The system may further include an external identifier configured to be affixed to the pipe and read by a reader. The reader is configured to read the external identifier and transmit pipe information to the one or more processors, such that the pipe information is accepted and associated with the pipe ID.
In another embodiment, a method includes generating a pipe ID for a pipe. The pipe ID is unique to the pipe. The method further includes performing testing on the pipe to generate testing results, and associating testing results with the pipe ID. An external identifier is attached to the pipe and associated with the pipe ID. The pipe ID is then saved in a database.
In some embodiments, associating testing results with the pipe ID includes associating testing parameters, testing descriptions, testing types, testing passage, testing results, or combinations thereof, with the pipe ID. Associating testing results with the pipe ID comprises associating testing parameters, testing descriptions, testing types, testing passage, testing results, or combinations thereof, with the pipe ID. In some embodiments, attaching the external identifier involves attaching an RFID tag to the pipe. Further, in some embodiments, the method further includes scanning the external identifier prior to shipping the pipe. Scanning the external identifier results in shipment information, which is further associated with the pipe ID.
Embodiments of the present techniques are described with reference to the following figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
A large quantity and variety of tubular goods are produced, sold, and used in many industries, such as oil and gas, construction, water transport, automotive, agricultural, fluid power industries, etc. Identifying and tracking tubular goods throughout their manufacture, quality testing, shipment, and use may result in increased efficiencies and more accurate inventory control for manufacturers, deliverers, distributors, and end users of tubular goods. Tubular goods may refer to tubing, casing, drill pipe, line pipe, other OCTG products or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) products, hollow structural sections (HSS), etc., and may be referred to as simply “pipe.” Tubular goods or pipe may include any tubular metal having a hollow cross section.
The schematic diagram of
The pipe identification information may be input to the processing and storage system 14. The processing and storage system 14 may include software 16 for processing and organizing the pipe identification information and storing it into a database 18.
The pipe identification information may then be accessed (block 20) from the database 18. For example, once the pipe reaches its destination, a distributor or end user may use a scanner or reader to scan or read an external identifier of a pipe. In some embodiments, the identifier may include a barcode, a radio-frequency identification (RFID), QR code, or any unique external identifier. The scanner or other device used to read the external identifier may be in communication with a remotely located processor used to store database 18. Such communication may be via a direct connection or wireless, such as using wi-fi or Bluetooth technology. Alternatively, mobile devices may be adapted such that scanning or reading the identifier may provide immediate access to pipe identification information of the scanned pipe. For example, an application or web portal may be saved on a mobile phone or laptop which may display the associated pipe identification information once a pipe is scanned.
The block diagrams in
Once a pipe has been manufactured and a pipe ID has been generated (block 24) for the pipe, various tests may be performed (block 26) on the pipe. For example, the pipe may undergo a hydrotester to test its performance under water pressure. Non-destructive testing (e.g., electromagnetic, ultrasonic, etc.) may also be performed to further assess the pipe's characteristics and quality and test it for defects. The results of this testing (block 26) may be added (block 28) to information associated with the pipe ID.
If the pipe has the appropriate characteristics to pass the testing (block 26), an external identifier linked to the pipe ID may be attached (block 30) to the pipe. In some embodiments, this identifier may be etched as a barcode, QR code, RFID tag, or other unique external identifier which may be adhered to an inner diameter or a thread protector of a pipe. The identifier may be suitable for remaining affixed to the pipe and functional through testing, coating, treating, and/or shipping of the pipe. For example, in some embodiments, a heat-resistant RFID tag may be adhered to the pipe.
Once the identifier is attached (block 30) to the pipe, the pipe ID may be saved (block 32) in a database (e.g., database 18 from
When a pipe is shipped (block 34) out of the manufacturing site, the identifier may be scanned to update the location of the pipe. For example, a scanner may be used to scan the RFID tag of a pipe to identify the pipe and update its pipe ID to include information about when the pipe has shipped out of a site, and where the pipe is destined to be delivered.
The web application and mobile application may each provide some combination of a number of characteristics associated with a pipe ID of each pipe. In some embodiments, the dimensions (length, weight, inner and/or outer diameters), processing data, testing data, heat treatment information, coil data (including material and composition of the pipe) may be displayed. Information related to the pipe's bill of lading (BOL) number, order number, and manufacturing and/or treatment locations and dates may be displayed.
Many modifications and other implementations set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the systems and methods described herein are not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62573471 | Oct 2017 | US |
