Method for utilizing microflowable devices for pipeline inspections

• US 6,935,425 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Aronstam, Peter S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US10/224,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20030056607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 166/66, 166/72, 166/250.01, 166/250.11, 166/255.1, 166/381, 175/40, 175/44, 175/45, 175/46, 175/48, 175/50, 731/525.5, 731/522.8, 731/520.2, 738/658, 736/23, 73/614.1, 738/665
• US Class Current: 166/250.11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/01 Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/138 Devices entrained in the flow of well-bore fluid for transmitting data, control or actuation signals

Abstract

Microflowable devices can be used in pipelines to perform inspections. Disclosed are methods of using microflowable devices to measure parameters of interest within a pipeline to inspect the pipeline for conditions such as stress, corrosion, wall erosion and the like. Also disclosed is performing maintenance on the pipeline to correct such conditions.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing microflowable devices for pipeline inspections comprising:

(a) injecting a plurality of microflowable devices into a pipeline containing a moving fluid,

(b) allowing the plurality of microflowable devices to pass through a portion of the pipeline, collecting data regarding a parameter of interest relating to the pipeline, and

(c) recovering the data regarding the parameter of interest,

wherein the flow of the moving fluid is stopped during the period when the data is collected.

2. A pipeline inspection system including a plurality of microflowable devices, an injection point, and a device that can be used by the microflowable devices to sense location within a pipeline, wherein the microflowable device is capable of collecting data regarding a parameter of interest relating to the pipeline and the system is capable of injecting the plurality of microflowable devices and the plurality of microflowable devices can form either a flowing sensor array or a static sensor array.

3. The pipeline inspection system of claim 2 further comprising a source of microflowable devices, an injection device, and an extraction tube.

4. The pipeline inspection system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of microflowable devices further comprises a nanowire sensor.

5. The pipeline inspection system of claim 2 wherein the device which can be used by the plurality of microflowable devices to sense location within the pipeline is a permanent magnet.

6. A method for utilizing microflowable devices for pipeline inspections comprising:

(a) injecting a plurality of microflowable devices into a pipeline containing a moving fluid,

(b) allowing the plurality of microflowable devices to pass through a portion of the pipeline, collecting data regarding a parameter of interest relating to the pipeline and sensing its location within the pipeline using at least one of (i) time from injection and (ii) proximity to a device used by the microflowable devices to sense location within the pipeline, and

(c) recovering the data regarding the parameter of interest;

wherein the flow of the moving fluid is stopped during the period when the data is collected.

7. A method for utilizing microflowable devices for pipeline inspections comprising:

(a) injecting a plurality of microflowable devices into a pipeline containing a moving fluid,

(b) allowing the plurality of microflowable devices to pass through a portion of the pipeline, collecting data regarding a parameter of interest relating to the pipeline and sensing its location within the pipeline using at least one of (i) time from injection and (ii) proximity to a device used by the microflowable devices to sense location within the pipeline, and

(c) recovering the data regarding the parameter of interest;

wherein the plurality of microflowable devices form either a flowing sensor array or a static sensor array.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising abandoning at least one of the plurality of microflowable devices in the pipeline.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising collecting and removing at least one of the plurality of microflowable devices from within the pipeline.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of recovering the data regarding the parameter of interest is done prior to collecting and removing the at least one of the plurality of microflowable devices from within the pipeline.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the recovery of data is done using electromagnetic signals.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the parameter of interest relating to the pipeline is at least one of:

pressure, temperature, flow rate, viscosity, composition of the fluid, presence of a particular chemical or ion, water saturation, composition, corrosion, and vibration.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the parameter of interest relating to the pipeline comprises pressure.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining from pressure changes and location of the pressure changes within the pipeline, corrosion of a pipeline wall.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising performing maintenance on a pipeline based on the determination of corrosion of a pipeline wall.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising determining from the presence of the particular chemical or ion and location within the pipeline of the particular chemical or ions, pipeline stress.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising performing maintenance on a pipeline based on the determination of pipeline stress.

18. The method of claim 7 further comprising treating a pipeline with a detection enhancement agent prior to or concurrent with injecting the plurality of microflowable device.

19. The method of claim 7 wherein the data collected is used to prepare a profile of the portion of the pipeline.

20. The pipeline inspection system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of microflowable devices further comprises a plurality of microflowable devices encapsulated in a material that is suitable for the pipeline environment, and the plurality of microflowable devices includes one or more of:

a sensor element, a control circuit or controller, a memory unit, and a resident power supply.