Method and apparatus for inspecting a tubular using acoustic signals

• US 7,080,557 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Adnan, Sarmad
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US10/820,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20040200282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 736/22, 736/44
• US Class Current: 73/622
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/044 Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2634 cylindrical from outside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2636 cylindrical from inside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/225 Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/28 providing acoustic coupling , e.g. water impedance matching G10K11/02

Abstract

A method and apparatus for acoustically inspecting a tubular member is presented. In particular a method for inspecting coiled tubing using ultrasound is presented. The method includes contacting a tubular with a coupling material, transmitting an acoustic signal, receiving a returned acoustic signal and then releasing the contact of the coupling material with the tubular. The method has particular application for determining the wall thickness of coiled tubing as it is being unreeled into a borehole or wound on coiled tubing reel.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting a tubular comprising the steps of

a) contacting the tubular with an elastomeric coupling material;

b) transmitting an acoustic signal;

c) receiving a returned acoustic signal;

d) releasing the contact of the coupling material with the tubular; and

e) repeating steps a through d along a length of the tubular at a high rate of speed.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular is coiled tubing.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein steps a through d are repeated as the coiled tubing is being reeled on or unreeled from a coiled tubing reel.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an algorithm is used to confirm a returned acoustic signal is received.

6. A method for inspecting a tubular comprising the steps of

contacting the tubular with a coupling material

transmitting an acoustic signal

receiving an acoustic returned signal;

and

selectively increasing or decreasing the contact pressure of the coupling material on the tubular based on the received signal.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tubular is coiled tubing.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling material comprises an elastomeric element.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the selectively increasing the contact pressure is achieved by compressing the elastomeric element.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the selectively decreasing the contact pressure is achieved by decreasing hydraulic pressure upon the elastomeric element.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising comparing the returned signal to an expected signal, wherein the selectively increasing or decreasing the contact pressure is performed based on the comparison of the returned signal to the expected signal.

13. The method of 6, further comprising contacting, transmitting, receiving and selectively increasing or decreasing as the coiled tubing is being run in or pulled out of a borehole.

14. An apparatus for use in inspecting a tubular comprising:

a housing comprising a coupling material having an axial bore through which a coiled tubing may be passed;

an acoustic transducer;

an activation cavity;

a port;

a solenoid activated hydraulic valve operational to permit or restrict fluid flow in the activation cavity, and

means for controlling the hydraulic valve in response to a signal received by the acoustic transducer.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein increasing fluid in the activation chamber in response to a signal received by the acoustic transducer compresses the coupling material to contact the coiled tubing.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the hydraulic valve may be opened and closed at a high rate of speed.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the hydraulic valve is operational in response to a signal returned from the coiled tubing and received by the acoustic transducer.