Patent Application
20250109668
This disclosure relates generally to downhole plug and perforation systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a system and method for surface devices used for downhole perforations.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations often utilize what is known as a plug and perforation technique in which a section of a well is drilled, cased, cemented, and isolated, and then a wireline is inserted to the end of the well, dubbed “toe prep.” The wireline includes perforating guns that each fire an explosive discharge into a section of the rock layer downhole to create perforations in the section of rock layer. The wireline is then removed from the well and fluid is pumped into the perforated well to fill the perforations in the rock layer with the fluid at high pressure to fracture the rock layer. This section of the well can then be plugged, and the process can be repeated for a next section of the well. During plug and perforation operations, surface electronic devices such as shooting panels and logging panels are used to monitor downhole components and control firing of the perforating guns. However, current surface electronic devices have several problems.
This disclosure relates to system and method for surface devices used for downhole perforations.
In one example, a system for plug and perforation operations includes a data acquisition and logging panel including a wireline connection port for connecting the data acquisition and logging panel directly to a wireline of a toolstring and configured to obtain a plurality of data via the wireline connection, a shooting panel configured to fire one or more perforating guns during a plug and perforation operation, and an electronic device comprising a memory, at least one processor, and a display. The plurality of data includes casing collar locator (CCL) data. The data acquisition and logging panel is configured to provide the CCL data to the electronic device for display of the CCL data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device. The at least one processor of the electronic device is configured to, based on the CCL data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel, instruct, via the wireline connection provided by the data acquisition and logging device, an auto-correlation operation of one or more collars in the toolstring.
In another example, a system includes for plug and perforation operations includes a data acquisition and logging panel including a wireline connection interface for establishing a wireline connection directly to a wireline of a toolstring and configured to obtain a plurality of data via the wireline connection. The plurality of data includes casing collar locator (CCL) data, and the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to provide the plurality of data to the electronic device for display of the plurality of data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device.
In another example, a method for plug and perforation operations includes establishing a wireline connection directly to a wireline of a toolstring by connecting the wireline of the toolstring to a wireline connection interface of a data acquisition and logging panel. The method also includes obtaining, by the data acquisition and logging panel, a plurality of data via the wireline connection, wherein the plurality of data includes casing collar locator (CCL) data. The method also includes providing, by the data acquisition and logging panel, the plurality of data to an electronic device for display of the plurality of data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device.
Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like.
Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer readable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.
As used here, terms and phrases such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” a feature (like a number, function, operation, or component such as a part) indicate the existence of the feature and do not exclude the existence of other features. Also, as used here, the phrases “A or B,” “at least one of A and/or B,” or “one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of A and B. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” and “at least one of A or B” may indicate all of (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including at least one A and at least one B. Further, as used here, the terms “first” and “second” may modify various components regardless of importance and do not limit the components. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first user device and a second user device may indicate different user devices from each other, regardless of the order or importance of the devices. A first component may be denoted a second component and vice versa without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
It will be understood that, when an element (such as a first element) is referred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “coupled with/to” or “connected with/to” another element (such as a second element), it can be coupled or connected with/to the other element directly or via a third element. In contrast, it will be understood that, when an element (such as a first element) is referred to as being “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected with/to” another element (such as a second element), no other element (such as a third element) intervenes between the element and the other element.
As used here, the phrase “configured (or set) to” may be interchangeably used with the phrases “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” depending on the circumstances. The phrase “configured (or set) to” does not essentially mean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the phrase “configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, the phrase “processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C” may mean a generic-purpose processor (such as a CPU or application processor) that may perform the operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device or a dedicated processor (such as an embedded processor) for performing the operations.
The terms and phrases as used here are provided merely to describe some embodiments of this disclosure but not to limit the scope of other embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All terms and phrases, including technical and scientific terms and phrases, used here have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of this disclosure belong. It will be further understood that terms and phrases, such as those defined in commonly-used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined here. In some cases, the terms and phrases defined here may be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this disclosure.
Examples of an “electronic device” according to embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a wearable device (such as smart glasses, a head-mounted device (HMD). Note that, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device may be one or a combination of the above-listed devices. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the electronic device may also be an orientation-measuring switch or orientation-measuring device as further described in this disclosure. Electronic devices disclosed herein are not limited to the above-listed devices and may include any other electronic devices now known or later developed.
In the following description, electronic devices are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, according to various embodiments of this disclosure. As used here, the term “user” may denote a human or another device (such as an artificial intelligent electronic device) using the electronic device.
Definitions for other certain words and phrases may be provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
None of the description in this application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the claims. Moreover, none of the claims is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle. Use of any other term, including without limitation “mechanism,” “module,” “device,” “unit,” “component,” “element,” “member,” “apparatus,” “machine,” “system,” “processor,” or “controller,” within a claim is understood by the Applicant to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f).
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:
As noted above, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations often utilize what is known as a plug and perforation technique in which a section of a well is drilled, cased, cemented, and isolated, and then a wireline is inserted to the end of the well, dubbed “toe prep.” The wireline includes perforating guns that each fire an explosive discharge into a section of the rock layer downhole to create perforations in the section of rock layer. The wireline is then removed from the well and fluid is pumped into the perforated well to fill the perforations in the rock layer with the fluid at high pressure to fracture the rock layer. This section of the well can then be plugged, and the process can be repeated for a next section of the well. During plug and perforation operations, surface electronic devices such as shooting panels and logging panels are used to monitor downhole components and control firing of the perforating guns. However, current surface electronic devices have several problems.
For instance, in order to switch between modes on the shooting panel, a user has to manually rotate a key that toggles between various operating modes. Because of this manual input requirement, and because of lack of feedback from the shooting panel concerning the currently set operating mode, the user must keep track of the manual movement of the key and may even forget to switch back to casing collar locator (CCL) mode after the plug is set, causing the user to miss the CCL kickback in order to verify the plug is set. Also, since the mechanical key needs to be rotated manually, the system cannot be run remotely or in an “autopilot” mode. Additionally, current surface devices do not allow for operating in an “ARM” mode while also collecting CCL data. Rather, when current surface devices are operating in the ARM mode and moving the toolstring while shooting (shooting on-the-fly) in order to shoot in depth, CCL mode is off and thus no CCL data can be collected. Therefore, the user can only rely on the cable length to estimate the actual depth, which can create problems because, for example, it is possible during these operations that the cable is stretched, and, consequently, the cable length is not equal to the actual depth. Also, since the user is shooting blindly in ARM mode, there is a risk of shooting/perforating the collars of the well casing, which can create severe problems because, since the collar includes the joints of two metal pipes, shooting/perforating the collars can reduce the performance of the shaped charges and fail to open holes on the wellbore to be fracked.
Also, there have been attempts to automate wireline perforations. However, prior approaches have used an extra tool that provides tension readings from downhole while spooling down autonomously. Use of such a downhole tension tool can assist with determining whether the toolstring is stuck or not. However, there is a need for more sophisticated and reliable ways to determine whether the toolstring is moving or stuck.
This disclosure provides systems and methods for surface devices used for downhole perforations. As further described in this disclosure a digital logging panel is provided. In various embodiments, the logging panel directly connects to wireline and winch sensors to record/log correlation and CCL. Unlike previous systems, in embodiments of this disclosure, the logging panel can be a master on the line and can act as a passive passthrough. Whenever a user wants to control switches (such as to inventory switches, arm, or fire), then the shooting panel takes over the line and thus the logging panel only gives the line to a shooting panel when the user is ready to shoot. Unlike prior data acquisition systems, this logging panel of this disclosure provides an uninterrupted and continuous CCL log both in time and depth domains. Additionally, the time log and depth log can be run simultaneously. In various embodiments, a downhole switch, e.g., a cruise switch, is included in the toolstring and informs the logging panel of various downhole conditions, such as acceleration and/or orientation of the toolstring. This downhole switch can provide the information continuously and uninterrupted to provide constant updates regarding the toolstring, such as whether the toolstring is moving or not. If the toolstring is not moving, this can indicate that the toolstring is stuck downhole, and remedial measures can be taken. Also, the logging panel of this disclosure can, whenever a user wants to measure the resistance of the explosives attached to the switch, send a command to the switch so the switch starts leaking current. The logging panel can measure, from the surface, exactly how much current flowed/leaked through the switch and determine the resistance of detonator/ignitor. Unlike prior systems, such as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0412195, entitled “Addressable Switch with Initiator Detection and Initiator Resistance Measurement,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, that required a downhole switch to read the leaked current and measure how much resistance is connected, the logging panel of this disclosure measures the resistance from the surface.
This disclosure also provides a digital shooting panel is provided that is programmable and generates digital output voltage, has two led-lighted buttons, and generates the same (programmed) waveform each time, eliminating having different shooting patterns for each user. The shooting panel can connect to a PC, such as via USB, and can get commands from users via a GUI in software executed on the PC. This allows for switching of the shooting panel mode, editing/modifying the shooting panel's output voltage/current profile, and initiating the power through the GUI. Digitally controlling the voltage/current output guarantees the optimum current and voltage for each explosive device. The shooting panel of this disclosure thus eliminates user mistakes of applying an incorrect amount of shooting power and an incorrect shooting duration.
In various embodiments of this disclosure, it should be emphasized further that the logging panel can keep a CCL log while shooting the perforating gun clusters. The logging panel can acquire the CCL logs directly from the line, rather than from the shooting panel, even when the shooting panel is in ARM mode. For example, when setting the plug, the shooting panel can remain in ARM mode, eliminating a need to quickly switch back to CCL mode to hear CCL movement. This eliminates problems with requiring users to manually switch a shooting panel between different modes.
For example, as described herein, with existing systems, since prior shooting panels had to be kept in ARM mode during shoot on-the-fly operations, no CCL data could be acquired/recorded. Consequently, in the shooting zone (between the plug depth and the top shot depth), the user blindly moved the toolstring, with the shooting panel in ARM mode, while hoping that he is not shooting a collar. Instead, with the logging panel of this disclosure, the shooting panel can be kept in ARM mode and ready to start shooting, allowing the shooting panel to be used just for shooting and not for logging. Also, since the logging panel handles the CCL log independently from the shooting panel, any available power supply will be able to be used for plug/perforation. For example, an ethernet/WIFI enabled industrial style power supply (even a bench supply) can be used for powering the shooting of perforating guns. The logging panel of this disclosure can also be used with the digital shooting panel of this disclosure to enable remote operations and control. These and other improvements and benefits are further detailed in this disclosure.
In some embodiments, the switches 16A-16C are orientation-measuring switches. These orientation-measuring switches 16A-16C include sensors that enable detection of gun orientation, such as one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers. The orientation-measuring switch may also include other sensors to detect other downhole conditions such as downhole temperature, downhole head voltages for each gun in the toolstring, detonator resistance, etc. The orientation-measuring switch can communicate these various readings up the toolstring so that other devices such as surface electronic devices can monitor, display, and/or log the data provided by the orientation-measuring switch. The detonating device may be a standard detonator, a capacitor discharge unit (CDU), or other initiator coupled to initiate a detonating cord to fire shaped charges or other explosive devices in the perforating gun. If activated to an on position, a switch 16 allows electrical current to flow to a coupled detonating device 22.
In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 18A controls current flow to the control unit 14B, and the switch 18B controls current flow to the control unit 14C. For added safety, a dummy detonator 24 may optionally be coupled at the top of the string. The dummy detonator 24 is first energized and set up before the guns or charges below may be detonated. The dummy detonator 24 includes a cable switch 26 that controls current flow to the first control unit 14A. The dummy detonator 24 also includes a control unit 31 as well as a dummy switch 28, which is not coupled to a detonator.
The one or more electrical cables 20 extend through a wireline or other carrier to surface equipment (generally indicated as 30), which may include a surface system 32, which may include various surface devices such as a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or any other microprocessor- or microcontroller-based system, and/or control device such as a logging panel and/or a shooting panel of the various embodiments of this disclosure. The surface system 32 is configurable by tool activation software to issue commands to the downhole tool (e.g., perforating system 10) to set up and to selectively activate one or more of the control units 14.
Bi-directional electrical communication (by digital signals or series of tones, for example) between the surface system 32 and control units 14 downhole may occur over one or more of the electrical cables 20. The electrical communication according to one embodiment may be bi-directional so that information of the control units 14 may be monitored by the tool activation software in the surface system 32. The information, which may include the control units' identifiers, status, and auxiliary data or measurements, for example, is received by the system 32 to verify correct selection and status information. This may be particularly advantageous where an operator at the wellsite desires to confirm which of the devices downhole has been selected before actual activation (or detonation in the case of a perforating gun or explosive).
This system may be an interface through which a user may issue commands (e.g., by speech recognition or keyboard entries). In one embodiment of the invention, each control unit 14 may be assigned an address by the tool activation software in the surface system 32 during system initialization. One advantage provided by the soft-addressing scheme is that the control units 14 do not need to be hard-coded with predetermined addresses. This reduces manufacturing complexity in that a generic control unit can be made. Another advantage of soft-addressing is that the control units may be assigned addresses on the fly to manipulate the order in which devices downhole are activated. In other embodiments, the control units 14 may be hard coded with pre-assigned addresses or precoded during assembly. Additional information may be coded into the control units, including the type of device, order number, run number, and other information.
The tool activation system according to embodiments of the invention also allows defective devices in the string to be bypassed or “skipped over.” Thus, a defective device in a multi-device string (such as a gun string) would not render the remaining parts of the string inoperable.
Although
The perforating gun includes installed and fixed therein at least one orientation-measuring device 216. The orientation-measuring device 216 includes one or more sensors such as a gyroscopic sensor or gyroscope. In some embodiments, the orientation-measuring device 216 is addressable, while in other embodiments the orientation-measuring device 216 can be unaddressable, (e.g., since orientation-measuring devices can be daisy-chained and can thus power up/wake up in a sequential order, the user/control system, etc. can still identify and control the downhole board without needing an address, and the control unit can just use the orientation-measuring device's order in the sequence rather than an address). The orientation-measuring device 216 can also include an acceleration sensor, or accelerometer, or the accelerometer and the gyroscope can be part of the same hardware device within the orientation-measuring device (e.g., an inertial measurement unit (IMU)). In some embodiments, the orientation-measuring device 216 is part of a detonator switch, while in other embodiments the orientation-measuring device 216 can be a standalone device installed separately within the perforating gun. As described in this disclosure, the orientation-measuring device 216 can provide data to a logging panel in a continuous and uninterrupted manner. In some embodiments, the orientation-measuring device 216 can function as a cruise switch that can provide acceleration or speed data to a logging panel continuously and uninterruptedly so that it can be determined whether the toolstring is moving or stuck in real time. In some embodiments, the cruise switch can be installed in the casing 202, but can also be installed at another point on the toolstring, while still providing acceleration and/or other data to the logging panel. As also described herein, in various embodiments, the sensors of the orientation-measuring device 216 can also detect other downhole conditions such as downhole temperature, downhole head voltages for each gun in the toolstring, detonator resistance, etc.
The orientation-measuring devices of the various embodiments of this disclosure allow for a level of control over the perforation process unlike traditional switches because the orientation-measuring devices can communicate the status and environmental conditions downhole, including critical downhole measurements such as detonator health, node voltages at each gun, downhole temperatures, casing collar locator (CCL) data, downhole and surface acceleration data, etc. In some embodiments in which the orientation-measuring device is an orientation-measuring switch, it can also be a combination detonation switch and detonator probing plug switch.
Various readings, such as those provided by the orientation-measuring device 216, can be communicated up the wireline 205 so that other electronic devices such as surface electronic devices can monitor, display, and/or log the data provided by the orientation-measuring device 216. For example, a data acquisition and logging panel electronic device can be installed at the surface that is connected via the wireline 205 to the orientation-measuring device 216 or other devices. In order to gather the depth and wireline tension information, the data acquisition and logging panel is also connected to sensors (encoders for depth and transducers for surface tension) which are located in the wireline cable winch. The data acquisition and logging panel can be configured to provide various features including storing and displaying CCL, depth, speed and line tension logs, real-time shot verification display, fast and sensitive current and voltage measurements, auto-scanning after firing, short and open circuit detection, connected detonator check, igniter/release tool resistance check, real-time remote monitoring, telemetry auto-gain settings, etc. The data acquisition and logging panel can be of a rack mount design, such as shown in
As further described in this disclosure,
As described herein, in various embodiments of this disclosure, the logging panel 300 can keep a CCL log while shooting the perforating gun clusters. The logging panel 300 can acquire the CCL logs directly from the line, rather than from the shooting panel, even when the shooting panel is in ARM mode. For example, when setting the plug, the shooting panel can remain in ARM mode, eliminating a need to quickly switch back to CCL mode to hear CCL movement. This eliminates problems with requiring users to manually switch the shooting panel between different modes. For instance, as described herein, with existing systems, since prior shooting panels had to be kept in ARM mode during shoot and fly operations, no CCL data could be acquired/recorded. Consequently, in the shooting zone (between the plug depth and the top shot depth), the user would blindly move the toolstring, with the shooting panel in ARM mode, while hoping that he is not shooting a collar. Instead, with the logging panel 300 of this disclosure, the shooting panel can be kept in ARM mode and ready to start shooting, allowing the shooting panel to be used just for shooting and not for logging.
The various embodiments of the orientation-measuring device described in this disclosure can operate using particular stable communications protocols, has a higher level of control than mechanical devices, saves time before downhole operations, is radio-frequency (RF) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe, is made of rugged materials to survive downhole insertions and retrievals, and can include features such as detonator detection, detonator resistance measurement, downhole head voltage reading for each gun in the toolstring, and downhole temperature measurement. In some embodiments, data communicated from the orientation-measuring device can be in real-time, or communicated periodically or in bursts, such as setting an adjustable communication rate for the device to communicate data every few seconds, once a second, 100 times a second, etc. In some embodiments, data may only be set to be communicated pre-perforation, that is, after perforating guns are sent downhole.
The orientation data provided by the orientation-measuring device allows for operators on the surface to receive an accurate orientation of the gun prior to firing the gun, such as an accuracy of plus or minus 5 degrees or less. This allows for operators to check the gun orientation prior to firing and take remedial steps if the detected orientation is incorrect or undesirable, such as retrieving the wireline and reinserting, using a different gun, etc. In cases in which an orienting gun is used, if an incorrect orientation is detected, the system can also be programmed to wait for the orienting gun, which may be moving/rotating within the well, to reach an orientation within an accuracy threshold, and then detonation can be triggered upon reading an orientation measurement within tolerance as the orienting gun moves within the well. In this way, the switch can be set to initiate firing, or allow firing to be initiated, as soon as an orientation within tolerance is detected. Additionally, accelerometer readings (and/or possibly orientation readings in some cases) can be used to verify that a firing event has occurred. A firing event be confirmed using the accelerometer data received by identifying movement of the perforating guns due to the force of a firing event. As another example, in many cases the force of a firing event will cause the perforating gun to move to an extent, and thus, after firing is triggered, the orientation data communicated to the surface from the orientation-measuring device will typically be different than the orientation data communicated prior to the firing event. In some embodiments, data from the accelerometer(s) or other sensors in adjacent perforating guns can be used to verify firing of lower guns. For example, when a first gun fires, guns 2-8 upstream can record the event and offer verification in the event that the first gun's sensors were destroyed in the firing. In some existing approaches, cameras or special measurement devices are sent downhole to measure the actual orientations of each perforation after a perforation is performed. The orientation-measuring device of this disclose, however, transmits the orientation right at the moment of fire, which is much more time and cost efficient.
In various embodiments, operators may not review orientation data at all, but rather the firing process can be automated (although operators may still review data from time to time for process auditing purposes). For example, if a well needs to be perforated with an orientation of 0 degrees, the perforation switch can be programed to automatically perforate when the desired orientation has reached a certain accuracy without users needing to review the orientation data. In this case, when the orientation is within +/−10 degrees accurate, the system can be programmed to trigger the detonation.
As also described above with respect to
The surface shooting panel can be optimized for 50 ohm detonators and can be also compatible with lower ohmage values. The surface shooting panel can also be compatible with multiple switch types due to being able to generate adjustable negative and positive voltage. The shooting panel can replace prior analog/manual control panels, provides power for plug, control, and release switches, and can relay logging data to logging equipment such as the data acquisition and logging panel. The shooting panel can include various connections and power controls, including a CCL connection to the logging system, port(s) s for connections to other devices (e.g., a USB port for connecting to a PC), a log connection for connection to the logging system, and a line connection point for connection to the wireline (e.g., wireline 205).
As described herein, the data acquisition and logging panel 300 and the shooting panel 400 provide various substantial benefits over prior surface devices. Existing shooting panels can include various operation modes. For example, the various modes of the shooting panel can include a SAFE mode in which the shooting panel disconnects the wireline from the logging panel and leaves the line shunted with a 5K OHM barrier (preventing logging/powering the line), a LOG mode in which the behaves as a passthrough and connects the line to the logging panel through a LOG connector in the rear (as shown in
For existing shooting panels, the ARM mode typically causes the logging panel to be disconnected from the line. Since, the logging panel is disconnected from the line, the logging panel cannot track voltage/current on the line, and therefore these existing shooting panels have to let the logging panel know what the line voltage/current is during shooting. This essentially gives the line to other shooting or logging panels without any alterations on the line. Existing logging panels typically connect to the LOG port of the shooting panel and acquire logging/telemetry signals from the wireline that is passed by shooting panel, and plots/displays those via acquisition software on another device. A standard perforation job starts with the shooting panel in CCL Mode and the shooting panel coupling the CCL signals and bypassing this raw analog signal to a logging panel (such as a third party logging panel) from the CCL port of the shooting panel. The logging panel digitizes this signal (samples the signal) and displays the digitized signal on the user's PC display. The user then plots the CCL and compares the signal with correlation/reference plot information to attempt to decide the exact location of the toolstring. Then, when the desired depth is reached, the user switches the mechanical key to ARM mode and shots the plug. Once the plug is shot, the user quickly switches the mechanical key back to CCL mode to catch the CCL kicks in order to verify the plug set. Typically, once an engineer verifies the plug is set, the user switches the key back to ARM mode and starts shooting the rest of the toolstring one by one. CCL data is used to detect a successful plug set. For example, setting of the plug can cause the tool string to move or shake violently which in turn causes CCL to generate a signal that can be recorded at the surface equipment, which happens independently of the CCL actually passing a casing collar.
The shooting panel 400, and other shooting panel embodiments of this disclosure, however, is programmable and generates digital output voltage, has two led-lighted buttons, and generates the same (programmed) waveform each time, eliminating having different shooting patterns for each user. The shooting panel 400 can connect to a PC, such as via USB, and can get commands from users via a GUI, e.g., GUI 301, in software executed on the PC. This allows for switching of the modes of the shooting panel 400, editing/modifying the shooting panel 400's output voltage/current profile, and initiating the power through the GUI. Also, digitally controlling the voltage/current output guarantees the optimum current and voltage for each explosive device. The shooting panel 400 of this disclosure thus eliminates user mistakes of applying an incorrect amount of shooting power and an incorrect shooting duration.
The logging panel 300, and other logging panel embodiments of this disclosure, directly connects to wireline and winch sensors to record/log correlation and CCL. Unlike previous systems, the logging panel 300 is a master on the line and can act as a passive passthrough, which can also enable compatibility for working simultaneously with other third party devices and/or systems. But whenever a user wants to control switches (such as to inventory, arm, or fire), then the shooting panel takes over the line, and thus the logging panel 300 only gives the line to the shooting panel 400 when the user is ready to shoot. Then, the logging panel takes over the line until whenever the user is ready to shoot through the shooting panel. Unlike prior data acquisition systems, this logging panel 300 provides an uninterrupted and continuous CCL log both in time and depth domains independent of the shooting panel, and independent of what made a shooting panel is set to. Additionally, the time log and depth log can be run simultaneously. Further, in various embodiments, orientation data such as provided by orientation measuring devices (e.g., an orientation switch), can also be provided in or near the time and depth logs, to enable viewing of the latest orientation position at the moment of firing. Additionally or alternatively, a downhole switch such as the orientation switch and/or another switch (e.g., a cruise switch) installed on the toolstring can provide acceleration data for the toolstring to the logging panel 300. This can also inform users about the well conditions (dog legs, well deformations etc.). Also, the logging panel 300 can, whenever a user wants to measure the resistance of the explosives attached to the switch, send a command to the switch so the switch starts leaking current. The logging panel 300 can measure exactly how much current flowed/leaked through the switch and can also measure the resistance of detonator/ignitor. Unlike prior systems that required a downhole switch to read the leaked current and measure how much resistance is connected, the logging panel 300 measures the resistance from the surface.
In various embodiments of this disclosure, the logging panel 300, additionally or alternatively, can keep a CCL log while shooting the perforating gun clusters. The logging panel 300 can acquire the CCL logs directly from the line, rather than from the shooting panel, even when the shooting panel 400 is in ARM mode. For example, when setting the plug, the shooting panel 400 can remain in ARM mode, eliminating a need to quickly switch back to CCL mode to hear CCL movement. This eliminates problems with requiring users to manually switch the shooting panel between different modes. For example, as described herein, with existing systems, since prior shooting panels had to be kept in ARM mode during shoot and fly operations, no CCL data could be acquired/recorded. Consequently, in the shooting zone (between the plug depth and the top shot depth), the user blindly moved the toolstring, with the shooting panel in ARM mode, while hoping that he is not shooting a collar.
Instead, with the logging panel 300 of this disclosure, the shooting panel 400 can be kept in ARM mode and ready to start shooting, allowing the shooting panel 400 to be used just for shooting and not for logging. Also, since the logging panel 300 handles the CCL log independently from the shooting panel 400, any available power supply will be able to be used for plug/perforation. For example, an ethernet/WIFI enabled industrial style power supply (even a bench supply) can be used for powering the shooting of perforating guns. The logging panel 300 of this disclosure can also be used with the shooting panel 400 to enable remote operations and control.
Existing panels just couple CCL without any voltage or power on the line. Various embodiments of the logging panel of this disclosure, however, can include a novel CCL coupling receiver that is capable of detecting/coupling CCL signals from a powered line. This power can be as high as several hundred volts in both polarities, and there can be voltage/current spikes on the line due to shooting, tractoring operations, etc. The card of the logging panel acting as the receiver to couple the CCL from the line is designed to survive the high voltage wireline spikes. This is important because this allows the logging panel to also be used as a wireline scope, such that the card probes the wireline continuously and displays DC voltage/currents on the line as well as AC wireline signals. Additionally, this system including the logging panel 300 and the shooting panel 400, unlike existing systems, is capable of auto-correlating the collars by automatically detecting where CCL peaks are, comparing those with a correlation/ghost pass and automatically correlating the collars via calculation of an offset by measuring the differences in the detected peaks. This allows the system to run autonomously or in an auto-pilot mode.
Correlating collars using CCL data is important for plug and perforation operations. Depth correlation is the process of comparing and fixing measured well depths with known features on baseline logs of the wellbore tubing or casing and the surrounding formation. Correlation ensures that perforating guns are shot in the correct area, and that plugs are set in the correct place. As described in this disclosure, CCL tools that monitor CCL data (measurements of the metal thickness variations in the casing or tubing collars via inducement of a current during movement of the toolstring) allow correlation with cased hole logs based on casing collars or other completion markers. CCL data can be used to create correlation log that is compared to a reference log. Where the correlation log varies too much from the reference log, adjustments can be made to better correlate the depth, typically measured by a depth offset between the correlation log and the reference log.
As stated above, when firing is commenced, an electrical current is sent to the switch. Upon transmission of the electrical current to the switch, one or more discharging units of the perforating gun 204 are activated and an explosive charge (e.g., Cyclotrimethylene Trinitramine (RDX), Hexanitrosilbene (HNS), Cyclotetramethylene Trinitramine (HMX), etc.) is discharged through apertures 206 to create holes (perforations 208) in the rock or shale formation, such as illustrated in
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As mentioned, incoming data can optionally be passed to the other logging panel 608 if included in the system configuration 600. For example, as shown in
Various connections between the data acquisition and logging panel and the other components of the system configuration 600 facilitate the communication between the components.
For instance, as shown in
The data acquisition and logging panel 602 is connected to the winch operator panel 604 via a cable connected between, in this example, a “FROM WINCH” port on the back side 603 of the data acquisition and logging panel 602 and a “signal out” connection on the winch operator panel 604, which is also shown in
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For example, in such embodiment, when setting the plug, the shooting panel 606 can remain in ARM mode, eliminating a need to quickly switch back to CCL mode to hear CCL movement. This eliminates problems with requiring users to manually switch the shooting panel 606 between different modes. For instance, as described herein, with existing systems, since prior shooting panels had to be kept in ARM mode during shoot and fly operations, no CCL data could be acquired/recorded. Consequently, in the shooting zone (between the plug depth and the top shot depth), the user would blindly move the toolstring, with the shooting panel in ARM mode, while hoping that he is not shooting a collar. Instead, with the data acquisition and logging panel 602 of this disclosure, the shooting panel 606 can be kept in ARM mode and ready to start shooting, allowing the shooting panel 606 to be used just for shooting and not for logging. In general, electrical component wiring connections can be configured in a wide variety of ways, and
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As also described elsewhere in this disclosure, in various embodiments, the data acquisition and logging panel 602 can keep a CCL log independent of the shooting panel 606. That is, the data acquisition and logging panel 602 can acquire the CCL logs directly from the wireline connection, via the line cable 623, rather than from the shooting panel 606, even when the shooting panel 606 is in ARM mode or in any other mode. As shown in
Thus, unlike prior data acquisition systems, the logging panel 602 of this disclosure provides an uninterrupted and continuous CCL log both in time and depth domains. Additionally, the time log and depth log can be run simultaneously. Additionally or alternatively, a downhole switch such as the orientation switch and/or another switch (e.g., a cruise switch) installed on the toolstring can provide acceleration data for the toolstring to the logging panel 602. Also, the logging panel 602 of this disclosure can, whenever a user wants to measure the resistance of the explosives attached to the switch, send a command to the switch so the switch starts leaking current, such as leaking 1 to 3 mA through the switch such that the switch can calculate the actual resistance of the detonator connected to switch. For example, the system can include 1 KOhm bleeding resistors right below the firing path of the switch. On top of the 1 KOhm bleeding resistors, there can be 0 ohm short and 10 ohm precise resistors that assist with calibrating the resistance reading. When a switch receives a “LEAK” command, it first leaks current (e.g., TestCurrent1) from 0 ohm+1 KOhm path, then leaks (e.g., TestCurrent2) from 10 ohm+1 KOhm path, and finally leaks from the (MeasurementCurrent) ACTUAL EXPLOSIVE+1 KOhm. In various embodiments, the resistance can be measured using the orientation switch or via a separate resistor probing switch.
The surface equipment measures the exact amount of current leaked at each state because it already knows TestCurrent1 leaks from 0 ohm and TestCurrent2 leaks from a precise 10 ohm. When the surface equipment receives the current after Test1 and Test2, it is able to determine the actual explosive resistance. In various embodiments, TestCurrent1 and TestCurrent2 are used to find out the what the BASE/IDLE current of the whole toolstring is (including Wireline, CCL, etc.). Since the system can switch very fast between TestCurrent1/TestCurrent2 and the ACTUAL Measurement, it can already be known that they have the same BASE current and thus the system can just remove it to find the actual value. The logging panel 602 can thus measure exactly how much current flowed/leaked through the switch and can also measure the resistance of detonator/ignitor. Unlike prior systems that required a downhole switch to read the leaked current and measure how much resistance is connected, the logging panel 602 of this disclosure measures the resistance from the surface.
As also described elsewhere in this disclosure, existing panels just couple CCL without any voltage or power on the line. The logging panel 602 of
Correlating collars using CCL data is important for plug and perforation operations. Depth correlation is the process of comparing and fixing measured well depths with known features on baseline logs of the wellbore tubing or casing and the surrounding formation. Correlation ensures that perforating guns are shot in the correct area, and that plugs are set in the correct place. As described in this disclosure, CCL tools that monitor CCL data (measurements of the metal thickness variations in the casing or tubing collars via inducement of a current during movement of the toolstring) allow correlation with cased hole logs based on casing collars or other completion markers. CCL data can be used to create a correlation log that is compared to a reference log. Where the correlation log varies too much from the reference log, adjustments can be made to better correlate the depth, typically measured by a depth offset between the correlation log and the reference log.
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The screen 801 also includes a time plot window 804 that shows CCL, tension, speed, and depth measurements over time. As also described elsewhere in this disclosure, in various embodiments, the data acquisition and logging panel 602 can keep a CCL log independent of the shooting panel 606. That is, the data acquisition and logging panel 602 can acquire the CCL logs directly from the wireline connection, rather than from the shooting panel 606, even when the shooting panel is in ARM mode or in any other mode.
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The screen 901 also shows an orientation-measuring device window 904 that can display a graphical depiction of the orientation-measuring device and the current yaw, pitch, and roll communicated by the orientation-measuring device.
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As described in this disclosure, the various user interfaces shown for example in
At step 1202, a wireline connection is established directly to a wireline of a toolstring by connecting the wireline of the toolstring to a wireline connection interface of a data acquisition and logging panel. The data acquisition and logging panel can be, for example, the data acquisition and logging panel 602. At step 1204, a plurality of data is obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel via the wireline connection. The plurality of data can include casing collar locator (CCL) data and acceleration data. As described in this disclosure, the toolstring can include one or more sensor devices to obtain the CCL data and/or the acceleration data.
At step 1206, the plurality of data is provided by the data acquisition and logging panel to an electronic device for display of the plurality of data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device. The electronic device can be, for example, the computing device 610. At step 1208, it is determined whether the toolstring is in motion or not. In some embodiments, the electronic device can make the determination of whether the toolstring is in motion based on the data provided by the data acquisition and logging panel. In some embodiments, the data acquisition and logging panel can make the determination itself.
At step 1210, based on the determination of whether the toolstring is in motion, the method 1200 can move back to step 1204 to continue obtaining data from the wireline. If, however, at step 1210, it is determined that the toolstring is not in motion, the method 1200 moves to step 1212. At step 1212, it is determined whether a firing position has been reached. If not, at step 1214, an alert can be output, such as by the electronic device or by the data acquisition and logging panel, based on a determination that the toolstring is not in motion, indicating that the toolstring is stuck or otherwise unable to move. Remedial measures can then be taken, such as changing the orientation of the toolstring, extracting the toolstring a certain distance, etc. The method 1200 then moves back to step 1204.
At step 1212, it is determined that a firing position has been reached, the method moves to step 1216. At step 1216, a shooting panel a firing of one or more perforating guns is caused via a shooting panel during a plug and perforation operation. As described in this disclosure, the firing of the shooting panel can be caused by a command sent to the shooting panel. In some embodiments, the CCL data and the acceleration data is obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel over the wireline connection and independently from the shooting panel. In some embodiments, the shooting panel remains in an arm mode between firing events and while the data acquisition and logging panel obtains the CCL data and the acceleration data.
In some embodiments, the method 1200 could also include receiving, by the electronic device, an instruction to change a mode of the shooting panel via the one or more user interfaces and issue a command to the shooting panel to change a current mode of the shooting panel and sending, by the electronic device, a command to control the shooting panel to trigger a firing voltage to enable a downhole perforation remotely and automatically.
In some embodiments, the method 1200 can also include, based on the CCL data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel, instructing, by the electronic device via the wireline connection provided by the data acquisition and logging device, an auto-correlation operation of one or more collars in the toolstring. Performing the auto-correlation operation can include detecting one or more CCL peaks from the CCL data, comparing the detected one or more CCL peaks to reference CCL data, determining an offset based on the comparison between the one or more CCL peaks and the reference CCL data, and instructing an adjustment to a location of the one or more collars based on the determined offset.
In some embodiments, the method 1200 could also include measuring, by a resistor probing switch included on the toolstring, a resistor of an igniter, to provide for verification of whether the igniter is activated and a plug is set by rescanning the igniter after the igniter is fired; wherein the igniter reads 50 ohm before the igniter is set, based on the rescanning, providing, by the data acquisition and logging panel, an “open” or “short” status of the igniter, and due to the direct connection of the data acquisition and logging panel to the wireline of the toolstring: detecting, by the data acquisition and logging panel, when the igniter is activated and automatically re-verifying, by the data acquisition and logging panel, if the plug is set by automatically scanning the toolstring after a plug set, including initializing a resistance probing sequence automatically once downhole voltage and current draw stops.
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At block 1302, a data acquisition and logging panel is coupled to a wireline of a toolstring via a wireline connection port included on the data acquisition and logging panel. At block 1304, a shooting panel and the data acquisition and logging panel are coupled to an electronic device, such as via a USB connection. The electronic device can include various components, such as a memory, at least one processor, and a display. At block 1306, the data acquisition and logging panel gathers a plurality of data over the wireline connection, where the plurality of data includes CCL data. As described elsewhere in this disclosure, the data acquisition and logging panel can be configured to obtain the CCL data over the wireline connection independently from the shooting panel. As also described elsewhere in this disclosure, the plurality of data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel can further include voltage and/or current information from the wireline.
At block 1308, the data acquisition and logging panel provides at least a portion of the plurality of data to the electronic device for display in one or more user interfaces. At decision block 1310, a determination is made regarding whether to perform auto-correlation of one or more collars of the toolstring. For example, the electronic device, based on the CCL data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel, can instruct, via the wireline connection provided by the data acquisition and logging device, an auto-correlation operation of one or more collars in the toolstring.
If, at decision block 1310, it is determined to not perform the auto-correlation operation, the method moves to decision block 1314. If, at decision block 1310, it is determined to perform the auto-correlation operation, at block 1312, the auto-correlation operation is performed based on the CCL data, reference CCL data, and a determined offset. For example, to perform the auto-correlation operation, the electronic device may detect one or more CCL peaks from the CCL data, compare the detected one or more CCL peaks to reference CCL data, determine an offset based on the comparison between the one or more CCL peaks and the reference CCL data, and instruct an adjustment to a location of the one or more collars based on the determined offset. The method then moves to decision block 1314.
At decision block 1314, a determination is made regarding whether a mode change is received. For example, as described elsewhere in this disclosure, the shooting panel is capable of remaining in an arm mode in between firing events and while the data acquisition and logging panel obtains the CCL data. However, mode change can be received via the GUI executed by the software of the electronic device, such that the at least one processor of the electronic device is configured to receive an instruction to change a mode of the shooting panel via the one or more user interfaces. If, at decision block 1314, it is determined a mode change is not received, the method 1300 moves back to block 1306 to continue receiving data over the wireline connection. If, at decision block 1314, it is determined a mode change is received, the method 1300 moves to block 1316 to issue a command to the shooting panel to change the current mode of the shooting panel.
Thus, the correlation operation described above allows for the logging panel of this disclosure to correlate CCL and depth while the switch is armed and powered, wherein the logging panel the logging panel logs/correlates CCL and depth while the sensor, e.g., an orientation or cruise switch, is powered on and uplinking orientation and accelerometer data. This allows a user at the top of the well to turn on the orientation switch and start acquiring downhole orientation and accelerometer data, which can be used by detecting speed bumps (e.g., well deformations, debris, etc.) in the well. That is, while downhole accelerometer data from the switch during pump down is recorded and plotted, the accelerometer measurement can peak at certain depths where there is debris or a speed bump (e.g., a curb) inside of the well, and this data can be used to identify risky locations in the well.
Further, other than spotting the speed bumps in the well, the data from the sensors of the switches described in this disclosure, such as gyroscopic data, acceleration data, etc., can be used to find dog legs (i.e., crooked area of the wellbore) and well deviations on the well. For example, when the toolstring is traveling vertically, the switch will read 90 degrees for inclination, such that the switch is expected to read 0 degrees during horizontal pumping. For instance, if 90 degrees is read, then 0 degrees, then 45 degrees, then 0 degrees again, and so on, this provides information that there is a dog leg formation inside of the well and the toolstring may get stuck.
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It is understood that the system 1400 may be differently configured and that each of the listed components may actually represent several different components. For example, the CPU 1402 may actually represent a multi-processor or a distributed processing system; the memory unit 1404 may include different levels of cache memory, and main memory; the I/O device 1406 may include monitors, keyboards, display screens or touchscreens, and the like; the at least one network interface 1408 may include one or more network cards providing one or more wired and/or wireless connections to a network 1420; and the storage drive 1412 may include hard disks and remote storage locations. Therefore, a wide range of flexibility is anticipated in the configuration of the system 1400, which may range from a single physical platform configured primarily for a single user or autonomous operation to a distributed multi-user platform such as a cloud computing system.
The system 1400 may use any operating system (or multiple operating systems), including various versions of operating systems provided by Microsoft (such as WINDOWS), Apple (such as Mac OS X), UNIX, RTOS, and LINUX, and may include operating systems specifically developed for handheld devices (e.g., IOS, Android, RTOS, Blackberry, and/or Windows Phone), personal computers, servers, and other computing platforms depending on the use of the system 1400. In some embodiments, the system 1400 can be a compact system such as a Raspberry Pi running a Linux-based operating system such as Debian. The operating system, as well as other instructions (e.g., for telecommunications and/or other functions provided by the device 1400), may be stored in the memory unit 1404 and executed by the processor 1402. For example, the memory unit 1404 may include instructions for performing some or all of the steps, process, and methods described herein.
The network 1420 may be a single network or may represent multiple networks, including networks of different types, whether wireless or wired. For example, the device 1400 may be coupled to external devices via a network that includes a cellular link coupled to a data packet network or may be coupled via a data packet link, such as a wide local area network (WLAN) coupled to a data packet network or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Accordingly, many different network types and configurations may be used to couple the device 1400 with external devices. In some embodiments, the electronic device can transmit information over the network 1420 to other devices. For example, if the electronic device is the data acquisition and logging panel described in this disclosure, the data received from downhole components such as the orientation-measuring switch and display of such data could be streamed to other remote electronic devices over the network 1420 to allow for remote monitoring of perforation or fracking operations.
It will be understood that, although this disclosure refers to plug and perforation operations for illustration, the various devices, systems, and methods of this disclosure can also be used in other work such as daywork (e.g., jet cutters, pipe recovery, slickline operations, etc.).
In one example, a system for plug and perforation operations includes a data acquisition and logging panel including a wireline connection interface for establishing a wireline connection directly to a wireline of a toolstring and configured to obtain a plurality of data via the wireline connection, wherein the plurality of data includes casing collar locator (CCL) data, and the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to provide the plurality of data to the electronic device for display of the plurality of data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device.
In one or more of the above examples, the system further comprises a shooting panel configured to fire one or more perforating guns during a plug and perforation operation.
In one or more of the above examples, the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to obtain the plurality of data over the wireline connection and independently from the shooting panel.
In one or more of the above examples, the shooting panel is capable of remaining in an arm mode between firing events and while the data acquisition and logging panel obtains the plurality of data.
In one or more of the above examples, the plurality of data further includes acceleration data, and the at least one processor of the electronic device is configured to determine, based on at least the acceleration data, whether the toolstring is in motion.
In one or more of the above examples, the at least one processor of the electronic device is further configured to output an alert, based on a determination that the toolstring is not in motion, indicating that the toolstring is stuck or otherwise unable to move.
In one or more of the above examples, at least one processor of the electronic device is configured to receive an instruction to change a mode of the shooting panel via the one or more user interfaces and issue a command to the shooting panel to change a current mode of the shooting panel and send a command to control the shooting panel to trigger a firing voltage to enable a downhole perforation remotely and automatically.
In one or more of the above examples, at least one processor of the electronic device is configured to, based on the CCL data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel, instruct, via the wireline connection provided by the data acquisition and logging device, an auto-correlation operation of one or more collars in the toolstring.
In one or more of the above examples, to perform the auto-correlation operation, the at least one processor of the electronic device is further configured to detect one or more CCL peaks from the CCL data, compare the detected one or more CCL peaks to reference CCL data, determine an offset based on the comparison between the one or more CCL peaks and the reference CCL data, and instruct an adjustment to a location of the one or more collars based on the determined offset.
In one or more of the above examples, the system further includes at least one sensor configured to detect orientation information of one or more perforating guns in real-time or based on an adjustable transmission rate, wherein the at least one sensor includes one or more of a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, and other sensors, wherein the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to receive the detected orientation information and provide the detected orientation information to the electronic device for display.
In one or more of the above examples, the system further includes a resistor probing switch included on the toolstring and configured to measure a resistor of an igniter, to provide for verification of whether the igniter is activated and a plug is set by rescanning the igniter after the igniter is fired.
In one or more of the above examples, the igniter reads 50 ohm before the igniter is set, based on the rescanning, the data acquisition and logging panel provides an “open” or “short” status of the igniter, and due to the direct connection of the data acquisition and logging panel to the wireline of the toolstring, the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to detect when the igniter is activated, and automatically re-verify if the plug is set by automatically scanning the toolstring after a plug set, including initializing a resistance probing sequence automatically once downhole voltage and current draw stops.
In one or more of the above examples, the plurality of data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel further includes voltage and/or current information from the wireline.
In one or more of the above examples, the system further comprises a resistor probing switch included on the toolstring and configured to measure a resistor of an igniter, to provide for verification of whether the igniter is activated/set by rescanning/probing the igniter right after the igniter is fired.
In one or more of the above examples, the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to measure a resistance of explosive devices coupled to a downhole switch based on detection of a leaked current.
In one or more of the above examples, the shooting panel separately acquires CCL data and the CCL data acquired by the shooting panel is forwarded to one or more other logging devices.
In one or more of the above examples, the electronic device is configured to provide a display of at least one of a time log or a depth log, and display the detected orientation information in or near one of the time log or the depth log.
In one or more of the above examples, the system further includes an orientation switch on the toolstring that is configured to inspect the well, including taking an x-ray of the well, while pumping down and correlating.
In another example, a method includes establishing a wireline connection directly to a wireline of a toolstring by connecting the wireline of the toolstring to a wireline connection interface of a data acquisition and logging panel, obtaining, by the data acquisition and logging panel, a plurality of data via the wireline connection, wherein the plurality of data includes casing collar locator (CCL) data, and providing, by the data acquisition and logging panel, the plurality of data to an electronic device for display of the plurality of data in one or more user interfaces provided by the electronic device.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further comprises causing, via a shooting panel, a firing of one or more perforating guns during a plug and perforation operation.
In one or more of the above examples, the plurality of data is obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel over the wireline connection and independently from the shooting panel.
In one or more of the above examples, the shooting panel remains in an arm mode between firing events and while the data acquisition and logging panel obtains the plurality of data.
In one or more of the above examples, the plurality of data further includes acceleration data, and the method further includes determining, by the electronic device and based on at least the acceleration data, whether the toolstring is in motion.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes outputting, by the electronic device, an alert, based on a determination that the toolstring is not in motion, indicating that the toolstring is stuck or otherwise unable to move.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes receiving, by the electronic device, an instruction to change a mode of the shooting panel via the one or more user interfaces and issue a command to the shooting panel to change a current mode of the shooting panel and sending, by the electronic device, a command to control the shooting panel to trigger a firing voltage to enable a downhole perforation remotely and automatically.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes, based on the CCL data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel, instructing, by the electronic device via the wireline connection provided by the data acquisition and logging device, an auto-correlation operation of one or more collars in the toolstring.
In one or more of the above examples, performing the auto-correlation operation includes detecting one or more CCL peaks from the CCL data, comparing the detected one or more CCL peaks to reference CCL data, determining an offset based on the comparison between the one or more CCL peaks and the reference CCL data, and instructing an adjustment to a location of the one or more collars based on the determined offset.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes measuring, by a resistor probing switch included on the toolstring, a resistor of an igniter, to provide for verification of whether the igniter is activated and a plug is set by rescanning the igniter after the igniter is fired; wherein the igniter reads 50 ohm before the igniter is set, based on the rescanning, providing, by the data acquisition and logging panel, an “open” or “short” status of the igniter, and due to the direct connection of the data acquisition and logging panel to the wireline of the toolstring detecting, by the data acquisition and logging panel, when the igniter is activated, and automatically re-verifying, by the data acquisition and logging panel, if the plug is set by automatically scanning the toolstring after a plug set, including initializing a resistance probing sequence automatically once downhole voltage and current draw stops.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes detecting, using at least one sensor, orientation information of the one or more perforating guns in real-time or based on an adjustable transmission rate, wherein the at least one sensor includes one or more of a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, and other sensors, wherein the data acquisition and logging panel is configured to receive the detected orientation information and provide the detected orientation information to the electronic device for display.
In one or more of the above examples, the plurality of data obtained by the data acquisition and logging panel further includes voltage and/or current information from the wireline.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes measuring, using a resistor probing switch included on the toolstring, a resistor of an igniter, to provide for verification of whether the igniter is activated/set by rescanning/probing the igniter right after the igniter is fired.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes measuring, using the data acquisition and logging panel, a resistance of explosive devices coupled to a downhole switch based on detection of a leaked current.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further comprises separately acquiring the CCL data using the shooting panel and forwarding the CCL data acquired by the shooting panel to one or more other logging devices.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes providing a display, via the electronic device, of at least one of a time log or a depth log, and displaying the detected orientation information in or near one of the time log or the depth log.
In one or more of the above examples, the method further includes using an orientation switch on the toolstring to inspect the well, including taking an x-ray of the well, while pumping down and correlating.
Although this disclosure has been described with example embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that this disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/586,482 filed on Sep. 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63586482 | Sep 2023 | US |
