Abstract
A sensor system to prevent the unintended severing or damage to a cable or other object within the throughbore of a standpipe or wellhead that may include a blowout preventer and gate valves. Generally, a sensor which may include both an emitter and receiver, is affixed externally to the standpipe, wellhead, blowout preventer, or gate valves. None of the emitter or receiver penetrates the pressure vessel formed by the standpipe, wellhead, blowout preventer, or gate valves. The sensor system may detect disturbances in a pre-existing field such as a geomagnetic sensor detecting the earth's magnetic field, the sensor may create a field and then detect disturbances within that created field such as a magnetic sensor, or the sensor may send a pulse of energy towards the area to be sensed and then read the reflected energy. Generally, the sensor system includes a logic controller, a memory, a sensor or sensors that may or may not include emitters and receivers, and a display. I
Claims
1. A wellhead sensing system comprising; a tubular having a throughbore affixed to a well, a geomagnetic sensor, a logic controller, and a memory; wherein the logic controller commands the geomagnetic sensor to take a first reading and the first reading is sent to the memory, wherein the logic controller commands the geomagnetic sensor to take a second reading and the second reading is sent to the memory, further wherein the logic controller compares the first reading to the second reading.
2. The wellhead sensing system of claim 1 wherein, the geomagnetic sensor, the logic controller, and the memory are housed in a single housing.
3. The wellhead sensing system of claim 1 wherein, the geomagnetic sensor sends and receives information between the logic controller and memory by wires.
4. The wellhead sensing system of claim 1 wherein, the geomagnetic sensor sends and receives information between the logic controller and memory by radio.
5. The wellhead sensing system of claim 1 wherein, the logic controller is connected to a display.
6. The wellhead sensing system of claim 1 wherein, the logic controller is connected to a display via radio.
7. A wellhead sensing system comprising; a tubular having a throughbore affixed to a well, an induction coil, a magnetic sensor, a logic controller, and a memory; wherein the logic controller commands the magnetic sensor to take a first reading and the first reading is sent to the memory, wherein the logic controller commands the magnetic sensor to take a second reading and the second reading is sent to the memory, further wherein the logic controller compares the first reading to the second reading.
8. The wellhead sensing system of claim 7 wherein, the induction coil, magnetic sensor, the logic controller, and the memory are housed in a single housing.
9. The wellhead sensing system of claim 7 wherein, the magnetic sensor sends and receives information between the logic controller and memory by wires.
10. The wellhead sensing system of claim 7 wherein, the magnetic sensor sends and receives information between the logic controller and memory by radio.
11. The wellhead sensing system of claim 7 wherein, the logic controller is connected to a display.
12. The wellhead sensing system of claim 7 wherein, the logic controller is connected to a display via radio.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead having a blowout preventor, gate valves, a lubricator, and a geomagnetic sensor.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the operation of the geomagnetic sensor, logic controller, memory, and display.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead having a blowout preventor, gate valves, a lubricator, and a magnetic sensor.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the operation of the magnetic sensor, logic controller, memory, and display.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead having a blowout preventor, gate valves, a lubricator, and two installations of ultrasonic transducers.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting the operation of the ultrasonic transducers, logic controller, memory, and display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques, or instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. When referring to the top of the device or component top is towards the surface of the well. Side is radially offset from a component but minimally longitudinally offset.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead 10 having a blowout preventor 26, gate valves 16, and a lubricator 22. In this instance the blowout preventer 26 may be operated by manual controller 18 or the automatic controller 20. A gate valve 16 is shown with an automatic gate actuator 17. In this instance a geomagnetic sensor 24 is depicted attached to standpipe 28 which is a portion of the casing 14 that is above the surface 12, however the geomagnetic sensor 24 may be placed anywhere along the leading of the blowout preventer or other valves that may have a tubular or cable passing through them. The geomagnetic sensor detects and records a portion of the Earth's magnetic field that is local to the standpipe 28. The initial geomagnetic field recording is taken when the standpipe 28 does not have a tubular or cable located within the standpipe adjacent to the geomagnetic sensor 24. A steel tubular or cable placed within standpipe 28 changes the Earth's magnetic field that is local to the standpipe 28 adjacent to the geomagnetic sensor 24. At predetermined intervals the geomagnetic sensor takes secondary geomagnetic field readings. When the secondary reading differs from the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 28 bore has an object within it. The geomagnetic sensor continues to take tertiary geomagnetic field readings and when the tertiary geomagnetic field reading reverts to or is similar to the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 28 bore is clear.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the operation of the geomagnetic sensor, logic controller, memory, and display. The geomagnetic sensor 24 may have a memory, a logic controller, and a display. When initiated the logic controller 30 sends a command to the geomagnetic sensor 24 to take an initial geomagnetic field reading. The geomagnetic sensor then takes the initial geomagnetic field reading and sends it to memory 32. The logic controller 30 will continue, at predetermined intervals, to command the geomagnetic sensor 24 to take secondary geomagnetic field readings and send each secondary geomagnetic field reading to memory 32. The logic controller 30 will then access from memory 32 the initial geomagnetic field reading and the secondary geomagnetic field reading. If the secondary geomagnetic field reading and the initial geomagnetic field reading are similar or within predetermined bounds then the logic controller will send a 1.sup.st message 34 indicating that the standpipe 28 bore is clear. However, if the secondary geomagnetic field reading and the initial geomagnetic field readings differ or are outside of predetermined bounds then the logic controller 30 will send a 2.sup.nd message 36 that the standpipe 28 bore is occupied. Additionally, in some instances the logic controller may also send a signal, such as valves operable 38, to any powered gate valve actuator, such as valve actuator 17 or blowout preventer valve actuator 20, that allows the gate valve to be closed when the bore is clear. Or the logic controller may send a signal, such as valves inoperable 40, to any powered gate valve actuator such as valve actuator 17 or blowout preventer valve actuator 20. In certain instances, the geomagnetic sensor, the logic controller, the memory, and the display may be a single unit in a single housing and the display may simply be a light on or off, a colored light, a raised flag, or other signal. In other instances, the geomagnetic sensor may be connected by wire or radio to a separate logic controller and memory such as an app on a smart phone, smart pad, or computer. The radio connection is a wireless connection that includes bluetooth, wi-fi, cellular or other radio types. The display may be directly wired to the logic controller or may be connected by radio to the logic controller and may simply be a screen where an icon or other notification may be displayed.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead 100 having a blowout preventor 126, gate valves 116, and a lubricator 122. In this instance the blowout preventer 126 may be operated by manual controller 118 or the automatic controller 120. A gate valve 116 is shown with an automatic gate actuator 117. An induction coil 150 and magnetic sensor 152 are depicted attached to standpipe 128 which is a portion of the casing 114 that is above the surface 112. As before, the induction coil 150 and magnetic sensor 152 may be placed along the length of the bore of the standpipe, the blowout preventer 126, or gate valves 116. In certain instances a permanent magnet may be used in place of or in addition to the induction coil 150 to create a local magnetic field. The induction coil 150 generates a magnetic or electric field that is detectable by magnetic sensor 152. Magnetic sensor 152 detects and records at least a portion of the magnetic field that is local to the standpipe 128. The initial field recording is taken when the standpipe 128 does not have a tubular or cable located within the standpipe 128 adjacent to the magnetic sensor 124. A steel tubular or cable placed within standpipe 128 disturbs the local magnetic field near standpipe 128 and adjacent to the magnetic sensor 124. At predetermined time intervals the magnetic sensor 152 takes secondary geomagnetic field readings. When the secondary reading differs from the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 28 bore has an object within it. The magnetic sensor continues to take tertiary magnetic field readings and when the tertiary magnetic field reading reverts to or is similar to the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 128 bore is clear.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the operation of the induction coil, magnetic sensor, logic controller, memory, and display. The induction coil 150 may provide a continuous magnetic field, an intermittent magnetic field, or an on command magnetic field. The magnetic sensor 152 may include a memory 132, a logic controller 130, and a display. When initiated the logic controller 130 sends a command, if needed, to the induction coil 150 to create a magnetic field. The logic controller 130 also commands the magnetic sensor 152 to take an initial magnetic field reading. The magnetic sensor 152 takes the initial magnetic field reading and sends it to memory 132. The logic controller 130 will continue, at predetermined intervals, to command the induction coil 150 to create a magnetic field if necessary and also command the magnetic sensor 152 to take secondary magnetic field readings sending each secondary magnetic field reading to memory 132. The logic controller 130 will then access from memory 132 the initial magnetic field reading and the secondary magnetic field reading. If the secondary magnetic field reading and the initial magnetic field reading are similar or within predetermined bounds then the logic controller will send a 1.sup.st message 134 indicating that the standpipe 128 bore is clear. However, if the secondary magnetic field reading and the initial magnetic field readings differ or are outside of predetermined bounds then the logic controller 130 will send a 2.sup.nd message 136 that the standpipe 128 bore is occupied. Additionally, in some instances the logic controller 130 may also send a signal, such as valves operable 138, to any powered gate valve actuator, such as valve actuator 117 or blowout preventer valve actuator 120, that allows the gate valve to be closed when the bore is clear. Or the logic controller 130 may send a signal, such as valves inoperable 140, to any powered gate valve actuator such as valve actuator 117 or blowout preventer valve actuator 120. In certain instances, the magnetic sensor 152, the logic controller 130, the memory 132, and the display may be a single unit. The display may simply be a light on or off, a colored light, a raised flag, or other signal. In other instances, the geomagnetic sensor may be connected by wire or wireless to a separate logic controller and memory such as an app on a smart phone, smart pad, or computer. The display may simply be a screen where an icon or other notification may be displayed.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an orthographic depiction of a wellhead 500 having a blowout preventor 526, gate valves 516, and a lubricator 522. In this instance the blowout preventer 526 may be operated by manual controller 518 or the automatic controller 520. A gate valve 516 is shown with an automatic gate actuator 517. FIG. 5 depicts two types of ultrasonic transducer installations on a single wellhead 500. A first ultrasonic transducer 560 is located in a bore 562 in flange 564. A second ultrasonic transducer 570 is located on standpipe 528. However, both the 1.sup.st ultrasonic transducer 560 and the 2.sup.nd ultrasonic transducer 570 may be placed along the length of the bore of the standpipe 528, the blowout preventer 526, or and gate valves 516. Both ultrasonic transducers 570 and 560 emit an ultrasonic pulse radially inwards towards the standpipe 528 or wellhead 500 throughbore. The ultrasonic pulse (not shown) is then reflected back towards the emitting ultrasonic transducer 560 or 570 as a reflection (not shown). An initial ultrasonic pulse reading is recorded, usually, when the standpipe 528 does not have a tubular or cable located within the standpipe 528 adjacent to either 1.sup.st ultrasonic transducer 560 or the 2.sup.nd ultrasonic transducer 570. A steel tubular or cable placed within standpipe 528 or the wellhead 500 throughbore will reflect a portion of the ultrasonic pulse back towards the ultrasonic transducer where the presence of a reflected signal other than the throughbore wall indicates the presence of an object within the throughbore. At predetermined time intervals the ultrasonic transducers 560 and/or 570 takes secondary ultrasonic pulse readings. When the secondary reading differs from the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 528 throughbore has an object within it. The ultrasonic transducers 560 or 570 continue to take tertiary ultrasonic pulse readings and when the tertiary magnetic field reading reverts to or is similar to the initial reading the logic controller indicates that the standpipe 528 bore is clear.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting the operation of either ultrasonic transducer 560 or 570, a logic controller 530, a memory 532, and a display. The ultrasonic transducers 560 or 570 generally have an ultrasonic emitter 560B and an ultrasonic receiver 560A in the same housing however in some instances the ultrasonic receiver 560A may be in a different housing than the ultrasonic emitter 560B. In some instances the entire each sensor or unit including memory, logic controller, and display may be housed in the same unit. In any event, upon initiation or start the logic controller 530 sends a command, if needed, to the ultrasonic emitter 560B to send an initial ultrasonic pulse. The ultrasonic receiver 560A receives the initial ultrasonic pulse reflection or reflections and sends them to memory 532 to be recorded. The logic controller 530 will continue, at predetermined intervals, to command the ultrasonic emitter 560B to send secondary ultrasonic pulses. The secondary reflections of the secondary ultrasonic pulses are then recorded by ultrasonic receiver 560A and sent to memory 532. The logic controller 530 will then access from memory 532 the initial ultrasonic pulse reflection and the secondary ultrasonic pulse reflection. If the secondary ultrasonic pulse reflection and the initial ultrasonic pulse reflection are similar or within predetermined bounds then the logic controller will send a 1.sup.st message 534 indicating that the standpipe 528 bore is clear. However, if the secondary ultrasonic pulse reflection and the initial ultrasonic pulse reflection differ or are outside of predetermined bounds then the logic controller 530 will send a 2.sup.nd message 536 that the standpipe 528 bore is occupied. Additionally, in some instances the logic controller 530 may also send a signal, such as valves operable 538, to any powered gate valve actuator, such as valve actuator 517 or blowout preventer valve actuator 520, that allows the gate valve to be closed when the bore is clear. Or the logic controller 530 may send a signal, such as valves inoperable 540, to any powered gate valve actuator such as valve actuator 517 or blowout preventer valve actuator 520. In certain instances, the magnetic sensor 552, the logic controller 530, the memory 532, and the display may be a single unit. The display may simply be a light on or off, a colored light, a raised flag, or other signal. In other instances, the ultrasonic transducer 560 or 570 may be connected by wire or wireless to a separate logic controller and memory such as an app on a smart phone, smart pad, or computer. The display may simply be a screen where an icon or other notification may be displayed.
[0021] In each of the aforementioned scenarios it is envisioned that an initial reading of the geomagnetic field, magnetic field, or the ultrasonic pulse are each taken when the throughbore of the standpipe and or the wellhead adjacent to each of the sensors is clear. In certain instances, the initial reading may be taken with the throughbore occupied with the second and tertiary readings compared to the occupied throughbore. The logic controller will then adjust the display accordingly to show an occupied throughbore when the throughbore is in fact occupied and to show a clear throughbore in the throughbore is clear. Additionally, while one or more of the sensors may be placed within a bore, the bore does not penetrate the pressure vessel formed by the casing, the standpipe, the wellhead, or any of the valves attached to the wellhead.
[0022] The nomenclature of leading, trailing, forward, rear, clockwise, counterclockwise, right hand, left hand, upwards, and downwards are meant only to help describe aspects of the tool that interact with other portions of the tool.
[0023] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.
