System using flow vibration detection and method

• US 10,605,024 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2017
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Russell, Ronnie, O'Connor, Keven, Munshi, Ammar A., McMahon, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Carroll, David
• Application Number:
  US15/809,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20190145207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/06 for setting packers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 28/00 Vibration generating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for stimulating production for fishing for or freeing objects E21B31/005; for transmitting measuring-signals E21B47/14; for geophysical measurements G01V1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/10 Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/20 by detection of dynamic effects of the flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8413 means for influencing the flowmeter's motional or vibrational behaviour, e.g., conduit support or fixing means, or conduit attachments
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8468 vibrating measuring conduits
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0623 characterised by the set value given to the control element

Abstract

A system includes a tubular having an interior surface, a longitudinal axis, a flowbore, and a main portion having a first inner diameter. A vibration inducing feature is disposed along the interior surface of the tubular and is immovable with respect to the tubular, and has a second inner diameter within the tubular that is different than the first inner diameter. The feature has a beveled first end surface and a beveled second end surface, the beveled first and second end surfaces longitudinally displaced from each other. The feature is configured to increase turbulence within the flowbore and configured to dissuade a capture of objects passing therethrough. A sensing system includes a sensor arranged to detect vibration within flow passing the vibration inducing feature, and is configured to output a command signal in response to sensed data reaching a threshold value or indicative of a predetermined pattern.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a tubular having an interior surface, a longitudinal axis, a flowbore, and a main portion having a first inner diameter;

a vibration inducing feature disposed along the interior surface of the tubular and being immovable with respect to the tubular, the vibration inducing feature having a second inner diameter within the tubular, the second inner diameter defining at least one overbore having a diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter, the vibration inducing feature having a beveled first end surface and a beveled second end surface, the beveled first and second end surfaces being longitudinally displaced from each other, the vibration inducing feature increasing turbulence within the flowbore and dissuading a capture of objects passing therethrough; and

a sensing system including a sensor arranged to detect vibration within flow passing through the at least one overbore of the vibration inducing feature, the sensing system being configured to output a command signal in response to sensed data reaching a threshold value or indicative of a predetermined pattern.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tool, wherein the command signal is an actuation signal to initiate actuation of the tool.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tool includes at least one of a liner hanger, a packer, and a flow control device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second inner diameter is at least 20 percent greater than the first inner diameter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one overbore includes a plurality of overbores separated from each other by a junction portion of the flowbore, the junction portion having a third inner diameter different than the second inner diameter.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter, and the first inner diameter is greater than the third inner diameter.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the tubular includes two or more pipe segments not integrally formed with each other, each segment having a connection, each connection having the third inner diameter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one overbore is eccentrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the beveled first end surface and the beveled second end surface are arranged at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the angle is less than approximately 30 degrees.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer and/or a pressure transducer at least partially disposed within a wall of the tubular.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one overbore includes one or more machined overbores.

13. A method of increasing and utilizing flow vibrations in the tubular of the system of claim 1, the method comprising:

disposing the tubular within an outer structure;

passing flow through the flowbore, the flow increasing in turbulence from the main portion as it passes the vibration inducing feature;

detecting vibrations in the flow that passes the vibration inducing feature using the sensing system;

comparing the sensed data of the flow with the threshold value or the predetermined pattern; and

,

outputting the command signal from the sensing system in response to the sensed data reaching the threshold value or indicative of the predetermined pattern.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein disposing the tubular within an outer structure including disposing the tubular within a borehole.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the command signal includes sending an actuation signal to a tool of the system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tool includes a liner hanger, a packer, and/or a flow control device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the command signal includes starting a timer and/or storing the sensed data.

18. A system comprising:

a tubular having an interior surface, a longitudinal axis, a flowbore, and a main portion having a first inner diameter; and

a vibration inducing feature disposed along the interior surface of the tubular and immovable with respect to the tubular, the vibration inducing feature having a second inner diameter within the tubular, the second inner diameter defines at least one overbore having a diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter, the vibration inducing feature having a beveled first end surface and a beveled second end surface, the vibration inducing feature configured to dissuade a capture of objects passing therethrough;

wherein the vibration inducing feature acts on flow through the flow bore to at least double vibration in flow passing through the at least one overbore.