Ruggedized downhole tool for real-time measurements and uses thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9863243-B1
Application number	US-201514698773-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 28, 2015
Priority date	Apr 28, 2015
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

The present invention relates to ruggedized downhole tools and sensors, as well as uses thereof. In particular, these tools can operate under extreme conditions and, therefore, allow for real-time measurements in geothermal reservoirs or other potentially harsh environments. One exemplary sensor includes a ruggedized ion selective electrode (ISE) for detecting tracer concentrations in real-time. In one embodiment, the ISE includes a solid, non-conductive potting material and an ion selective material, which are disposed in a temperature-resistant electrode body. Other electrode configurations, tools, and methods are also described.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An integrated downhole apparatus for measurements in high temperature and high pressure conditions, the apparatus comprising:
a ruggedized ion selective electrode for high temperature and high pressure conditions, the ion selective electrode comprising:
an electrode body comprising a temperature-resistant material, wherein the electrode body comprises an inner volume, a proximal end, and a distal end;
a pressure fitting cap disposed at the distal end of the electrode body;
an ion selective material disposed at the proximal end of the electrode body;
an electron conductor disposed within the electrode body and connected electrically to the ion selective material, wherein the electron conductor comprises a conductive material that extends along at least a portion of an axial length of the electrode body; and
a potting material comprising a solid, non-conductive material disposed within the electrode body, wherein the potting material conforms to fill the inner volume confined by a surface of the ion selective material and a surface of the pressure fitting cap;

a ruggedized reference electrode comprising an electrode body, an electron conductor disposed within the electrode body, a frit disposed at a proximal end of the electrode body, and a potting material disposed within the electrode body, wherein the potting material conforms to fill an inner volume of the electrode body and comprises an electrolyte;
a ruggedized pH electrode comprising a ceramic electrode body, an electron conductor disposed within the electrode body, and a metal material disposed within the electrode body, wherein the metal material conforms to fill an inner volume of the ceramic electrode body; and
an electronic module comprising an analog multiplexer configured to receive the one or more potential measurements and to output an analog measurement signal, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive the analog measurement signal and to output a digital measurement signal, and a microprocessor configured to control the analog multiplexer and the ADC and to output an encoded signal to a logging wireline.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the potting material comprises an epoxy.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ion selective material comprises a ceramic, a membrane, a crystal, or a pellet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the ion selective material comprises a recessed portion configured to receive a proximal end of the electron conductor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a conductive adhesive disposed within the recessed portion and between the ion selective material and the electron conductor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrode body comprises a temperature-resistant polymer, ceramic, metal, or a combination thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lead wire electrically connected to the electron conductor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises:
a high temperature level shifter configured to receive one or more signals from the ion selective electrode, reference electrode, and/or pH electrode and to transmit one or more shifted signals;
an analog multiplexer configured to receive the one or more shifted signals from the level shifter and to transmit one or more multiplexed analog signals;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the one or more multiplexed analog signals and to transmit one or more digital signals; and
a microprocessor configured to receive the one or more digital signals and to transmit the one or more digital signals to a receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a thermocouple, a pressure sensor, and/or a flow sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises a high temperature level shifter circuit configured to receive one or more electronic signals from the ion selective electrode, reference electrode, and/or pH electrode and to provide one or more shifted electronic signals.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the high temperature level shifter circuit comprises:
a driver circuit configured to generate a square wave signal;
an inverter circuit configured to receive the square wave signal and generate a negative voltage signal;
an operational amplifier buffer circuit configured to receive the negative voltage signal and comprising an input configured to receive the one or more potential measurements from the ion selective electrode, reference electrode, and/or pH electrode, thereby providing one or more buffered output signals; and
a summing circuit configured to receive the one or more buffered output signals and to generate one or more shifted signals.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the receiver is located uphole of the ion selective electrode.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ion selective electrode comprises the conductive material that extends along an entire axial length of the electrode body.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the potting material of the ion selective electrode conforms to fill an entire inner volume confined by the surface of the ion selective material and the surface of the pressure fitting cap.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference electrode comprises the electron conductor comprising a conductive material that extends along at least a portion of an axial length of the electrode body.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the reference electrode comprises the conductive material that extends along an entire axial length of the electrode body.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the potting material of the reference electrode conforms to fill an entire inner volume of the electrode body.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metal material of the pH electrode conforms to fill an entire inner volume of the ceramic electrode body.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ion selective material comprises an iodide-selective material.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the temperature-resistant material is stainless steel or a polyether.

Assignees

• Sandia Corp
• Nat Tech & Eng Solutions Sandia Llc

Inventors

• Hess Ryan Falcone
• Lindblom Scott C
• Yelton William G
• Limmer Steven J
• Boyle Timothy J
• Cieslewski Grzegorz

Classifications

• G01N27/3335 Primary

  the membrane containing at least one organic component (G01N27/3271 takes precedence; aspects concerning the enzyme reagent in enzyme electrodes C12Q1/001) · CPC title

• E21B47/11

  using tracers; using radioactivity · CPC title

• E21B47/017

  Protecting measuring instruments · CPC title

• E21B49/008 Primary

  by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor (measuring pressure E21B47/06) · CPC title

• E21B47/12

  Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling · CPC title