Real Time Tool Erosion Prediction Monitoring

• US 20150322765A1
• Filed: 05/07/2014
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Clem, Nicholas J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,650,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 12/02 Wear indicators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/04 Gravelling of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/008 Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/009 Monitoring of walking-beam pump systems

Abstract

A method, system and computer-readable medium for estimating a life expectancy of a tool used in a pumping operation is disclosed. A property of the tool is obtained and a pumping parameter of the downhole operation is selected. The pumping parameter is related to erosion of the tool. A value of the pumping parameter is measured during the pumping operation. The life expectancy of the tool is estimated during the pumping operation using the obtained property of the downhole tool and the measured value of the pumping parameter. The value of the pumping parameter may then be changed to a new value in order to affect the life expectancy.

Claims

1. A method of estimating a life expectancy of a tool used in a pumping operation, comprising:

obtaining a property of the tool;

selecting a pumping parameter of the downhole operation, wherein the pumping parameter is related to erosion of the tool;

measuring a value of the pumping parameter during the pumping operation; and

estimating, during the pumping operation, the life expectancy of the tool using the obtained property of the downhole tool and the measured value of the pumping parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tool further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a cross-over tool;

(ii) a sand control tool;

(iii) a gravel pack completion tool;

(iv) a fracking tool; and

(v) a pumping tool.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pumping parameter includes at least one of:

(i) a fluid flow rate;

(ii) a fluid viscosity;

(iii) proppant type;

(iv) proppant size;

(v) proppant density.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising suspending use of the tool when an accumulated time-of-use of the tool substantially matches a criterion related to the estimated life-expectancy of the tool.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing at least one of:

(i) altering the pumping parameter during the pumping operation to affect the life expectancy of the tool; and

(ii) recommending a new value of the pumping parameter to an operator.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising estimating the life expectancy of the tool using a previously-estimated life expectancy.

7. A system for estimating a life expectancy of a tool in a pumping operation, comprising:

a sensor configured to measure, during the pumping operation, a value of a pumping parameter related to erosion of the tool; and

a processor configured to;

obtain a property of the tool, and

estimate, during the pumping operation, a life expectancy of the tool using the obtained property the tool and the measured value of the pumping parameter.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the tool further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a cross-over tool;

(ii) a sand control tool;

(iii) a gravel pack completion tool;

(iv) a fracking tool; and

(v) a pumping tool.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the pumping parameter includes at least one of:

(i) a fluid flow rate;

(ii) a fluid viscosity;

(iii) proppant type;

(iv) proppant size;

(v) proppant density.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to suspend use of the tool when an accumulated time-of-use of the tool substantially matches a criterion related to the estimated life-expectancy of the tool.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to perform at least one of:

(i) altering the pumping parameter during the pumping process in order to affect the life expectancy of the tool; and

(ii) recommending a new value of the pumping parameter to an operator.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to estimate the life expectancy of the tool using a previously-estimated life expectancy.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a set of instructions stored thereon that when accessed by a processor enable the processor to perform a method of estimating a life expectancy of a tool used in a pumping operation, the method comprising:

obtaining a property of the tool;

selecting a pumping parameter of the pumping operation related to erosion of the tool;

measuring a value of the pumping parameter during the pumping operation; and

estimating, during the pumping operation, the life expectancy of the tool using the obtained property the tool and the measured value of the pumping parameter.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the tool further comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a cross-over tool;

(ii) a sand control tool;

(iii) a gravel pack completion tool;

(iv) a fracking tool; and

(v) a pumping tool.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the pumping parameter further includes at least one of:

(i) a fluid flow rate;

(ii) a fluid viscosity;

(iii) proppant type;

(iv) proppant size;

(v) proppant density.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises suspending use of the tool when an accumulated time-of-use of the tool substantially matches a criterion related to the estimated life-expectancy of the tool.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises at least one of:

(i) altering the pumping parameter during the pumping process in order to affect the life expectancy of the tool; and

(ii) recommending a new value of the pumping parameter to an operator.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises estimating the life expectancy of the tool using a previously-estimated life expectancy.