DOWNHOLE POWER GENERATION

• US 20110148656A1
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited (Umbrellastream LP, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited (Umbrellastream LP, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rogacheva, Alexandra Vasil'evna, Hudson, Steven Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,546,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.3
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes

Abstract

Downhole electrical power generation apparatus and methods of using stored pressurized gas and/or ambient downhole pressure. One example comprises first and second fluid receiving chambers, a fluid communication path for allowing flow of fluid from the first chamber via the fluid communication path to the second chamber and a turbine generator disposed so that fluid flowing from the first chamber via the fluid communications path to the second chamber operates the turbine generator to generate electrical power.

Claims

1. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus comprising first and second fluid receiving chambers, a fluid communication path for allowing flow of fluid from the first chamber via the fluid communication path to the second chamber and a turbine generator disposed so that fluid flowing from the first chamber via the fluid communication path to the second chamber operates the turbine generator to generate electrical power.

2. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second chamber is sealed against the ingress of fluid except for fluid received from the first chamber.

3. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 2 in which the second chamber is sealed against the ingress of fluid except via the fluid communication path from the first chamber.

4. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first chamber is sealed against the egress of fluid except for fluid supplied towards the second chamber.

5. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 4 in which the first chamber is sealed against the egress of fluid except via the fluid communication path to the second chamber.

6. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises a piston which is moveable to reduce the volume of the first chamber for driving fluid from the first chamber into the second chamber.

7. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 6 in which the piston is moveable under action of ambient pressure.

8. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises pressure transfer means for transferring ambient pressure in the region in which the apparatus is disposed to fluid held in the first fluid receiving portion.

9. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises a third fluid receiving chamber.

10. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 9 in which the third fluid receiving chamber is arranged to be pressurized using ambient pressure.

11. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 9 in which the third fluid receiving chamber is arranged to store a pressurized gas.

12. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 9 which comprises a non-return valve for allowing ingress of fluid into the third fluid receiving chamber from the exterior of the apparatus.

13. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 9 which comprises a piston which is moveable to reduce the volume of the first chamber for drawing fluid from the first chamber into the second chamber and a second piston which is moveable under action of ambient pressure to reduce the volume of the third fluid receiving chamber.

14. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 13 in which the chambers and pistons are arranged with the second piston exposed to ambient pressure and being disposed at one end of the third chamber, the first piston disposed between the third chamber and the first chamber, and the second chamber beyond the first chamber.

15. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 13 in which the second piston is arranged for sliding axial movement relative to the tubing and is lockable against such movement.

16. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises a controller for controlling flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber via the fluid communication path.

17. Downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 16 in which the controller is arranged to allow flow of fluid via the fluid communication path to generate electricity when in receipt of a signal indicating that power is required.

20. A well installation comprising downhole metallic structure and, disposed within the metallic structure, downhole electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1.

18. A downhole communication system comprising:

communication apparatus comprising at least one of a transmitter and a receiver; and

downhole electrical power generation apparatus comprising first and second fluid receiving chambers, a fluid communication path for allowing flow of fluid from the first chamber via the fluid communication path to the second chamber and a turbine generator disposed so that fluid flowing from the first chamber via the fluid communication path to the second chamber operates the turbine generator to generate electrical power for supply to the communication apparatus.

19. A downhole communication system according to claim 18 in which the communication apparatus comprises a control unit which is arranged to send a signal, indicating that power is required, to the downhole electrical power generation apparatus at predetermined times and/or under predetermined conditions.

21. A method of downhole electrical power generation comprising the steps of using ambient downhole pressure to cause flow of fluid from a first fluid receiving chamber via a fluid communication path to a second fluid receiving chamber and using the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber to operate a turbine generator to generate electrical power.

22. A method according to claim 21 comprising the step of pressurizing a third fluid receiving chamber using ambient pressure and in turn using the pressure in the third fluid receiving chamber to cause the flow of fluid from the first fluid receiving chamber to the second fluid receiving chamber.

23. A method of downhole electrical power generation comprising the steps of using energy stored in a stored pressurized gas to cause flow of fluid from a first fluid receiving chamber via a fluid communication path to a second fluid receiving chamber and using the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber to operate a turbine generator to generate electrical power.