BRPI0906355B1 - system and method for use in an underwater well application - Google Patents

Abstract

system, method for use in an underwater well application, method, and communication system for use in an underwater application a technique that allows the transmission of signals in subsea applications. the technique allows a communication signal and an energy signal to be transmitted through a single penetration arranged through a suspension of the production pipe of an underwater tree. The communication signal and / or the energy signal is converted to allow communication over a twisted pair for transmission within the well.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A SUBMARINE WELL APPLICATION

Cross-Reference to Related Order

This document is based on and claims privilege to the US Provisional Order. Series No. 61/025560, deposited on February 1, 2008, the contents of which are presented here by reference.

Fundamentals of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The modalities of the present invention are generally related to communication systems and more specifically are related to communication and energy signals inside wells.

Description of the Related Art

The descriptions and examples presented below are not considered to be of the existing technique because they are included in this section.

In many well-related applications, wells are drilled to facilitate the recovery of hydrocarbons in underground formations. Various systems, methods and tools for use inside wells benefit from the use of electrical cabling to allow the transmission of communication signals inside the well. For example, devices for accurately measuring temperature can be deployed along a sandy face (“sandface), and inductive coupling can be used to transmit data from devices for superior completion. From there, a communication hub inside the well is capable of transmitting this data to the seabed. Various techniques are used to transmit the data passing through the underwater tree and to the data collection location located on the surface. However, a number of difficulties arise in passing certain types of signs or combinations of

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 9/34 signals to or from a device located under the underwater tree.

US 2007/0007001 describes a well instrumentation system, including a power and data supply and two substantially identical cables. The two substantially identical cables provide redundancy to continue operation in the event of a failure.

US 7,261,162 describes an underwater communications system and method, including an interface for communicating with a surface installation via a communications link, using a packet-based protocol. The methods and systems described provide an open communications network for monitoring and controlling wells and sea beds to increase the bandwidth of the communication links between subsea wellhead equipment and a surface installation.

US 2007/0227727 describes a completion system including the first and second completion sections, in which the second section is implanted after the installation of the first section. The first section has a first inductive coupler portion and the second section has a second inductive coupler portion to allow communication, for example, between a sensor in the first section and another component coupled to the second section.

US 7,325,150 describes a system for generating, delivering and distributing electrical energy to network elements through a data communication network infrastructure. Power distribution and data communications are consolidated into a single network to simplify and reduce the cost of installing network elements and provide backup power for critical devices in the event of a power failure.

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 10/34

summary

In general, the present invention provides a system and methodology for the transmission of signals in subsea well applications. In one embodiment, a communication signal and an energy signal are provided through a single line arranged by means of a suspension of the production pipe of an underwater tree. At least one of the communication signal and the energy signal is converted to allow communication over a twisted pair located inside an underwater well.

Other features or alternatives will become apparent from the following description, from drawings, and from the claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

Certain embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where the same numerical references denote similar elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings only illustrate the various implementations described here and are not intended to limit the scope of the various technologies described here. The drawings are as follows:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an underwater well system consisting of a signal communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a signal conversion system for use with the subsea well system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is another schematic illustration of the signal conversion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 11/34

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an alternative signal conversion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is another schematic illustration of an alternative signal conversion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 6 is another schematic illustration of an alternative signal conversion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In the description that follows, several details are set out to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications to the described modalities may be possible.

The present invention generally relates to a system and methodology for use in an underwater well application. The system and methodology use a communication system that facilitates communication between devices in an underwater well and devices above the underwater floor, such as devices located on the surface. In the applications described here, the transmission of communication signals and / or energy signals is facilitated by a single signal conversion system. In many applications, signals are transmitted via twisted pair telemetry, and different communication protocols can be employed. With twisted pair telemetry, the communication between the underwater tree, sometimes referred to as the Christmas tree, uses two electrical contacts and can be carried out with either two penetrations or a single pin penetration using a two pole connector. As described below, this

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 12/34 system and methodology facilitate the use of single pin penetrations.

The system and methodology also allows for some degree of standardization of underwater trees, which can lead to significant savings, particularly when deployed in large areas. Sometimes, not all wells in a given field use twisted pair telemetry, and several solutions can be applied to maintain the same subsea tree topology regardless of the control lines used. For example, suitable cabling can be provided such that two single pins or a double pole can be configured such that the underwater tree does not need to change from twisted pair to single pair.

However, another option is described in more detail below and uses an electronic conversion system positioned below the subsea wellhead / tree. The electronic conversion system can communicate upwards through a single pin penetration and downwards through a twisted pair. Therefore, all subsea trees in a given field can use a single pole connector, with a single pin.

Twisted pair telemetry is a technology that can be used in many communication systems. The twisted pair communication systems allow for a balanced communication protocol, in which the energy that moves downwards in one cabling is conjugated by the corresponding energy that moves upwards in another cabling. This is typically referred to as a Differential Mode of transmission. Because the cabling is twisted in the twisted pair, any noise that enters the system identically enters both cabling and is commonly referred to as a Common Mode signal. The circuits can be constructed in such a way

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 13/34 distinguish between Common Mode and Differential Mode and usually involve subtracting the signal on one line from the signal on the other line. Consequently, the Common Mode disappears while the Differential Mode is doubled.

A major source of noise in an underwater system is ground noise and is due to the change in potential resulting from, for example, the activation of large equipment, pumps, charge intensifiers, valves and other devices. Such noise enters the Common Mode directly and can be difficult to block, unless the system has two wires. When the tools inside the well are activated, the Common Mode is created and can be transmitted in the same frequency band as communication telemetry, thereby further complicating modulation and demodulation.

A partial solution to separate Common Mode is to allow communication in one direction only to significantly reduce the amount of data. For example, the system can be limited to pressure / temperature gauges on a single line. Additionally, communication down to the meters can be restricted. In the latter case, an interface board that controls the frequency change can be used within the underwater tree for demodulation. Communication can be carried out via a single pin on the undersea tree. However, even with analog and digital filtering, communication can be vulnerable to the activation of some types of submersible electric pumps.

Twisted-pair telemetry can also be used in a temperature matrix system not only for noise rejection but also to enable bidirectional communication. In this order, minimizing the energy supply can be an important parameter in an underwater deployment. Each time

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 14/34 hot for a submarine deployment. Each time a temperature matrix is implanted, a technician and / or field engineer adjusts the voltage and current settings across the matrix. The amount of adjustment depends on the length of the completion, the components, as well as the efficiency of fixing and protecting the sensors. Often the amount of adjustment cannot be predicted in advance. In addition, it can be inefficient to set the energy setting to a high level due to potential factors such as poor grounding between two components of the completion. In addition, during production for the subsea distribution manifold, the temperature matrix system can only be operated once every few days in a way, for example, synchronized to conjugate when three-phase flow data is available. As a result, bidirectional communication can be useful as a component of a temperature matrix system.

In addition, twisted pair telemetry can be beneficial for power management. The transmission of electrical energy through a system located in the well is not only to provide communication, but electrical signals can also be used to supply energy to tools and other devices. In this last application, Common Mode is an advantage because both cables can be used to conduct energy in Common Mode such that the electrical resistance is divided in half.

In several illustrative communication applications discussed below, twisted pair telemetry is used in subsea communication systems. Communication can be carried out through the subsea tree through a single pin penetration / connector that has two separate conductors. In one example, the single pin connector comprises

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 15/34 two separate conductors located on a concentric single pin, such as the Diamould Seawell02 single pin connector. Single pin connectors can be designed to make the provision of rotational alignment unnecessary prior to the conjugation of the plug and receptacle portions of the single pin connector. In addition, the plug and receptacle portions of the connector may have sealing barriers, such as double sealing barriers, between the connector and the enclosure in the undersea tree.

As described below, several devices can be used to transmit signals, for example, energy and communication signals, through a production tube hanger and underwater tree in an underwater well application. In one example, an interface card, a communication network, and a single pin connector are used to conduct the desired signals. Communication from an underwater electronic device module to the interface board can be conducted via, for example, a 96-pin DIN. In some cases, the subsea module for electronic devices is powered via a 24 V power supply, and power can be supplied locally or via, for example, an umbilical. Modbus communication can use a 2-wire design or a 4-wire design.

Both a power signal and a communication signal can be passed through the single pin penetrating the underwater tree. It is conceivable that noise can occur over any frequency band, but the energy signal can be sent at a different frequency than the frequency of the communication signal. The interface board can be designed to transmit power, such as 175V DC power. In addition, the frequency range of the

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 16/34 communication network can be selected to optimize data transmission over long distances. In general, a high frequency transmission can be used to send substantial amounts of data over short distances, and a low frequency transmission can be used to send less data over much greater distances.

Referring in general to Figure 1, an example of application of a submarine and communication system is illustrated schematically. In this modality, a well system 20 comprises an underwater tree 22 and a communication system 24 that allows communication through underwater tree 22. The underwater tree 22 is positioned on an underwater floor 26 above a well hole 28 that has a production well 30 extending downward and into an underground formation 32. Underwater tree 22 can comprise a variety of components, including a production tube hanger 34 having a penetration 36. The penetration 36 can be designed to accommodate a single pin penetration 38, which can be used, for example, to transmit both communication signals and single power pins to and / or from a twisted pair located in well hole 28. As an illustrative example, the tree submarine 22 can be a vertical tree.

In addition to the single pin penetration 38, the communication system 24 comprises a signal conversion system 40 which has an upper conversion system 42, generally located above the single pin penetration 38, and a lower conversion system 44, located generally below single pin penetration 38. For example, the upper and lower conversion systems 42, 44, can be positioned on opposite sides of the production tube hanger 34. The communication system 24 can also

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 17/34 include communication lines 46, 48, which can be used to conduct signals, for example, communication and energy signals, to and / or from locations located on the surface and locations located inside the well, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication line 48 comprises at least in part a twisted pair communication line to allow twisted pair communication / telemetry. Although a twisted pair communication line is shown in this illustrative example, the modalities need not be limited to this configuration. Other types of communication lines can be used, such as multi-core cabling, among others.

The communication system 24 can be used to deliver the communication signals and / or energy signals to and from a variety of devices 50 located inside the well. Devices 50 may vary from application to application and may include valves, pumps, sensors, gauges, tools and other devices. In addition, one or more wellhead devices 50 can be used in cooperation with, or be part of a series of completions 51.

Referring generally to Figure 2, one embodiment of the signal conversion system 40 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the single pin penetration 38 extends through the production tube hanger 34 to connect the upper conversion system 42 with the lower conversion system 44. The lower conversion system 44 is connected to a twisted pair 52, which can be grounded by means of a suitable ground 54. Twisted pair 52 can be connected to, or formed as part of a 'bus' or distribution network in the

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 18/34 inside well 56, as well as a Wellnet communication network available from Schlumberger Corporation.

Although the signal conversion system 40 may comprise a variety of components, the illustrated embodiment uses an interface board 58 and an underwater electronic device module 60 to form the upper conversion system 42. As an example, the underwater conversion module Electronic devices 60 can be connected to interface card 58 via a 96-pin DIN or other suitable technique. Communication signals can be delivered from the subsea module of electronic devices 60 to interface card 58 via communication ‘Modbus’ 59 or another suitable method of communication. In addition, power can be delivered through the subsea module of electronic devices 60 to interface board 58. In Figure 2, power is illustrated as supplied from a 2 4V source in subsea module of electronic devices 60, however, many applications provide electrical energy through an umbilical or other suitable energy device.

The interface board 58 may comprise a converter module 62, which receives the signals from the subsea module of electronic devices 60 and converts them to a protocol suitable for use in the subsea communication system. For example, communication signals can be converted into communication signals compatible with Wellnet. The interface board 58 further comprises a frequency module 64 coupled to the converter module 62 and used to increase the frequency of the communication signal before it is combined with the energy signal. The energy signal delivered via the subsea electronic device module 60 is also converted by a power converter module 66 that can be

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 19/34 part of the interface board 58. As an example, the power converter module 66 converts the energy signal to a direct current signal, such as a 175V direct current signal or other appropriate signal. Other modalities may not be limited to the 175V direct current signal described in this example.

The converted communication signal and power signal are delivered to a combination module 68 which is used to combine the signals before the interface board 58 transmits the combined signals through the single pin penetration 38 of the lower conversion system 44. it should be noted that interface board 58 can also be designed to separate signals from inside the well that are transmitted upward through single pin penetration 38. In addition, the appropriate soils can be provided for the components of the upper conversion system 42 , lower conversion system 44 and network inside well 56, as needed.

In this particular embodiment, the lower conversion system 44 comprises an intensified frequency bridge 70, which is located below the production tube hanger 34. The intensified frequency bridge 70 receives the output communication from the interface board which, as described above , was raised to a higher frequency before being combined with the DC power signal. Due to the higher frequency, the analog components can be used within the intensified frequency bridge 70 to separate the energy signal and the communication signal from the combined signal. Following signal separation, the stepped frequency bridge 70 is used to convert the signal from the interface board back to the frequencies of the communication network. The energy signal is recombined back with the

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 20/34 communication signal and the combination is delivered to twisted pair 52 for transmission inside the well.

The stepped frequency bridge 70 can have a variety of shapes and components, but one embodiment is illustrated schematically in Figure 3. In that embodiment, the stepped frequency bridge 70 includes a signal separation module 72 designed to separate the signal from the power of the communication signal after receiving the combined signal from interface card 58 via single pin penetration 38. In this mode, the separate communication signal is delivered to a digital converter module 74, which converts the communication signal to a signal digital. The digital signal is delivered to a subsequent converter module 76, which is designed to convert the digital signal to an appropriate communication network signal, such as a Wellnet communication signal.

The separate energy signal is delivered to an energy signal converter 78, which is used to convert the energy signal back to a direct current signal, such as a 175V direct current signal. The energy signal and the communication signal are then delivered to a combination module 80 which is used to recombine the energy signal and the communication signal for transmission to twisted pair 52 and the communication network 56 inside the well. It should be noted that the stepped frequency bridge 70 can also be designed to separate signals that are received from inside the well, and those signals can be recombined for transmission to the upper conversion system 42 through single pin penetration 38.

There are several alternatives with regard to efficient ways of switching the frequencies of the communication network up and down. One approach is to convert

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 21/34 the signals from analog to digital and then back again. Consequently, the communication system needs to demodulate and then immediately modulate again. Therefore, an appropriate and capable communication protocol is used. In some embodiments, the stepped frequency bridge 70 is effectively used to capture data from interface card 58 and then throw the data back to communications network 56, while stepped frequency bridge 70 is simultaneously capturing the data from the communication network 56 and passing it up to the interface card 58.

Several variations of the signal conversion system 40 can also be employed. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the upper conversion system 42 is simplified by modifying the interface board 58 to avoid shorting the communication to the ground. According to one embodiment, the modification to avoid short-circuiting can be achieved by using one or more passive components 82 in an alternative combination module 84 used to combine the separate communication signal and energy signal.

In another variation of the conversion system, further simplification is achieved with a simplified stepped frequency bridge, as shown in Figure 5. In this example, the stepped frequency bridge 70 uses a power module 86 designed to use a direct current of input at a desired voltage, such as 175V. Additionally, conversion to digital is achieved at the frequencies of the communication network. Schematically, the system is similar to the enhanced frequency bridge illustrated in Figure 3, except for

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 22/34 perform the conversion to digital on the frequencies of the communication network. In effect, two communication network stations are provided with their backs to each other. The first communication network communicates with interface card 58, and it communicates digitally with the second communication network on the simplified enhanced frequency bridge, and this second communication network passes the communication inside the well to, for example, the device or devices 50 inside the well (see Figure 1).

In some modalities, modifications can be made to the electrical circuit to ensure that the communication will not be short-circuited to the ground. For example, passive components can be used on the enhanced frequency bridge 70. As illustrated in Figure 6, the simplified enhanced frequency bridge 70 can be modified using collaborative communication network stations 88, 90, respectively.

As an example, the modified communication network stations 88 and 90 can be formed at least in part with software. Power consumption and other operating parameters can be assessed from existing devices / tools and thus when the stations in the communication network are updated, similar updates can be applied to the software on the stepped frequency bridge 70. If the use of components software-based is suitable, often depend on the specific environment and applications in which the communication system is used.

The well system 20 and communication system 24 can be formed by a variety of components for use with various types of well systems. In addition, the selection of

Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 23/34 components for the construction of the signal conversion system can vary depending on environmental factors to which the system is subject in a given application. In addition, various types of underwater trees, for example vertical Christmas trees and other underwater trees, can be used with different types of production pipe hangers. In many embodiments, the production tube hanger is designed with a single penetration to accommodate the passage of a single line of communication. However, the communication line may include one or more electrical wires, optical fibers and other means for conducting energy and / or communication signals.

In addition, the placements of the upper conversion system and the lower conversion system may vary. In addition, the control boards and cooperation components can be built as stand-alone components or in combination with other components in the well. The components of the signal conversion system may also comprise digital components, analog components and / or mixtures of digital and analog components. In some applications, one or more of the modules contained in the signal conversion system can achieve the desired functionality through software, either alone or in combination with rigid components.

Therefore, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those usually skilled in the art will easily notice that many modifications are possible without departing materially from the guidelines of that invention. Such modifications are intended to be within the scope of that invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (18)

- CLAIMS 1. System, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a communication system (24) in an underwater well comprising: a production pipe hanger (34) having a single electrical penetration pole (36) for both a communication signal and an energy signal; an interface plate (58) positioned above the single electrical penetration pole (36) to transmit the communication signal it's the signal in energy by single penetration (36); and a system of conversion bottom (44) for convert the signal Communication and the sign power to transmit through s of a couple twisted (48) . 2. System, according with The claim 1, characterized by the fact that the production tube hanger (34) is positioned on a vertical tree (22) located on an underwater floor. 3. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises an underwater module of electronic devices (60) coupled to the interface plate (58) above the production tube hanger (34). 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower conversion system (44) comprises an intensified frequency bridge (70). 5. System according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the intensified frequency bridge (70) separates the communication signal from the energy signal. Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 25/34 6. System, in wake up with claim 5, featured fur fact in The frequency bridge intensified (70) convert the sign power for a signal 175 volts. 7. System, in wake up with claim 5, featured fur fact in The frequency bridge intensified (70) convert O signal communication for a digital signal. 8. System, in wake up with claim 5, featured fur fact in The frequency bridge intensified (70) converting the digital signal to a Wellnet communication signal. 9. System, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the intensified frequency bridge (70) combines the energy signal and the communication signal for transmission along the twisted pair (48). 10. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the single penetration (36) comprises a single pin penetration (38). 11. Method for use in an underwater well application, characterized by the fact that it comprises: providing a communication signal and an energy signal through a single line arranged through a production tube hanger (34), the production tube hanger (34) having a single electrical penetration pole (36); and converting at least the communication signal to a twisted pair communication (48) for transmission within the well. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the supply comprises the use of an interface plate (58) positioned above the production pipe hanger (34). Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 26/34 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the supply comprises the use of an intensified frequency bridge (70) positioned below the production tube hanger (34). 14. Method, according to claim 13, characterized in that it additionally comprises the coupling of a subsea module of electronic devices (60) to the interface plate (58) above the production pipe hanger (34). 15. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it additionally comprises the use of the intensified frequency bridge (70) to separate the communication signal from the energy signal. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that it additionally comprises the use of the intensified frequency bridge (70) to recombine the communication signal and the energy signal for transmission along the twisted pair (48). 17. Method, according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises: combining the communication signal and the energy signal above the production pipe hanger (34); transmit the combined signal in the single cabling through the production tube hanger (34); separating the combined signals into a separate communication signal and a separate energy signal below the production tube hanger (34); and recombine the signal of communication separate and the energy separate for transmission by middle of the twisted pair (48). 18. Method, in a deal with claim 17, characterized by the fact of combining understanding using a Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 27/34 interface board (58) for combining the communication signal and the energy signal. 19. Method, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that it comprises the transmission of the combined signals through the penetration of a single pin (38) through the suspension of the production tube (34). 20. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the separation comprises employing an intensified frequency bridge (70) to separate the combined signals. 21. Method, according to claim 20, characterized in that the recombine comprises using the intensified frequency bridge (70) to recombine the separate communication signal and the separate energy signal for transmission along the twisted pair (48). 22. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises an upper conversion system (42) comprising the interface board (58), the upper conversion system (42) having electronic devices for combining an energy and a communication signal in the form of a combined signal, the upper conversion system (42) being positioned above the penetration; and the lower conversion system having electronic devices for receiving the combined signal when transmitting through penetration and separating the combined signal in the form of an energy signal and a communication signal. 23. Communication system, according to claim 22, characterized in that the lower conversion system (44) additionally recombines the Petition 870190083294, of 26/08/2019, p. 28/34 energy and the communication signal for transmission through the twisted pair (48). 24. Communication system, according to claim 22, characterized by the fact that the 5 conversion top (42) comprise a subsea module of electronic devices (60). 25. Communication system, according to claim 22, characterized in that the lower communication system (44) comprises an intensified frequency bridge 10 (70).