Electronically Controlled Reel System for Oilfield Operations

• US 20170096864A1
• Filed: 10/04/2016
• Published: 04/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Blair, Justin, Cooper, Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 10,494,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/425 attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4484 Electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding process, e.g. with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4486 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/008 Winding units, specially adapted for drilling operations

Abstract

A system and method for electronically controlling a reel system for oilfield operations. The electronically controlled reel system for oilfield operations comprises a reel, and an electronic control system in communication with the reel to electronically control rotation of the reel. The method of controlling a reel for an oilfield operation comprises receiving a command from an electronic control system; and supplying an electrical control signal to the reel based on the command to control rotation of the reel.

Claims

1. An electronically controlled reel system for oilfield operations, comprising:

a reel; and

an electronic control system in communication with the reel to electronically control rotation of the reel.

2. The reel system of claim 1, wherein:

the reel comprises an electric motor configured to rotate the reel; and

the electronic control system is in communication with the electric motor to control the electric motor.

3. The reel system of claim 1, wherein:

the reel is pneumatically actuated; and

the electronic control system is in communication with and operable to control a solenoid valve to control rotation of the reel.

4. The reel system of claim 3, wherein the reel further comprises an electropneumatic transducer operable to supply pressure to the reel.

5. The reel system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reels, and wherein the electronic control system is configured to control rotation of each of the plurality of reels individually, collectively, synchronously, or according to a programmed protocol.

6. The reel system of claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a controller in communication with the electronic control system, the controller being operable to decode a command from electronic control system to an electrical control signal.

7. The reel system of claim 1, wherein the reel further comprises a sensor operable to measure a parameter indicative of a reel condition, and the electronic control system is in communication with the sensor and configured to control the rotation of the reel based on the measured parameter.

8. The reel system of claim 7, wherein the parameter indicative of the reel condition includes at least one of a reel pressure, a reel tension, a reel speed, an extension length of a cable, a rotational frequency of a motor, and a horsepower of the motor.

9. The reel system of claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a local control panel operable to receive a command to control the reel.

10. The reel system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a speed sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a load cell.

11. A method of controlling a reel for an oilfield operation, comprising:

receiving a command from an electronic control system; and

supplying an electrical control signal to the reel based on the command to control rotation of the reel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the rotation of the reel comprises controlling an electric motor operable to rotate the reel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the rotation of the reel comprises controlling a solenoid valve operable to rotate the reel.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling rotation of a plurality of reels individually, collectively, synchronously, or according to a programmed protocol with the electronic control system.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving the command to control the rotation of the reel from a user interface in communication with the electronic control system.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein supplying the electrical control signal comprises decoding the command to the electrical control signal with a controller.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising communicating a parameter indicative of a reel condition to the electronic control system to provide feedback of the reel.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the parameter indicative of the reel condition includes at least one of a reel pressure, a reel tension, a reel speed, an extension length of a cable, a rotational frequency of a motor, and a horsepower of a motor.

19. A system of electronically controlling reels for an oilfield operation, comprising:

reels;

an electronic control system configured to control rotation of the reels electronically and individually, collectively, synchronously, or according to a programmed protocol.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein each reel of the reels comprises a sensor operable to measure a parameter indicative of a reel condition, and the electronic control system is in communication with the sensors and configured to control the rotation of the reels based on the measured parameters.