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DEA June 2009
Phil Snider Marathon Oil Company
Ron Clarke iiiTec
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RFID DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND DEVELOPMENT
DRILLING ENVIRONMENT
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What is “RFID”
RFID = Radio Frequency Identification
Three components to send/receive information without direct contact.
– Transceiver (reader)– Antenna (usually combined with the reader)– Transponder (tag)
KEY POINT – Unique Identification Codes
Common applications– Identifying pets and livestock– Tracking goods– Toll road Applications
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Other RFID Background and Terminology
Active and Passive Tags– Active Tags contain batteries and can typically transmit
data at greater distancesCar and toll road applications
– Passive Tags contain no batteries and only transmit data when the reader / antenna “excite” the tag.
Pet identification
Most current RFID applications in the oil industry use Passive tags and integrated circuit technology.
– Interest is growing in SAW technologySurface acoustic wave
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Oilfield RFID Applications: Terminology we utilize
Type I Application– Unique identification codes are downhole
RFID tags in casing collars, for example
– Conveyed tool performs operations when the correct code is identified.
Type II Application (Main focus of this presentation)– Reader tools are downhole– RFID Tags or unique codes are conveyed into the well– Tool performs operations when correct code identified.
Type III Applications– Surface reading for inventory control and tracking
Drill pipe tagging for example.
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RFID Tool Design Considerations
Frequency of the Tags and readers must be the same– Most tags are obtained commercially from other industries– Currently using 125 KHz tags for design work.– Recommended industry consider standardizing frequencies
or at least have this dialog.
Communication speed is a function of:– Antenna length– Antenna power– Tag and reader frequency– Distance between the antenna and the tag– Tag orientation
Generally drop several tags– Velocity of the tag
Design the systems to operate at high pump rates
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RFID Type II Application Graphic
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Some other key points on software
Tools are designed to only operate on the first desired unique code
– Allows a handful of chips to be dropped– If tags accidentally re-circulated through the mud system
Downhole electronics reliability– A much bigger issue for drilling applications– Good industry understanding due to prior tools
Rotary steerable, MWD, LWD, etc.
– Design methodology remains confidential
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Field Case Histories to date
Firing Casing Conveyed Perforating Guns– Marathon, Alaska, March 2002
Dropped RFID tag fired externally mounted guns when the correct code was received.8,000 foot well 150 degrees F.
Drilling Circulating Sub– ~15,000 foot well in the North Sea, August 2005– Multiple tags dropped to open 8” circ sub for clean-up
Ports opened at 10,100 feet and seawater pumped.Ports subsequently closed as well
– Multiple field trails underway at this timeCirc subs, frac sleeves, multiple completion tools
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RFID Center of Excellence Funded
Funding significant surface facilities to insure tools run downhole encountered few problems
– Learn at surface– “its not what you expect, it’s what you inspect”
Facilities include– Flow loops with erosion testing capability
Piping and tanks with fluid heating, (rent pumps, reduce costs)
– 18,000 feet of 1.75” coil (pressure pulsing tests as well)– Environmental chambers with necessary plumbing and data
gatheringPressure, temperature, cycling
– Vibration and shock testing– Electronics lab (clean room) and change room– Suitable for electronic board assembly
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RFID Drilling Under-ReamersDetailed economics of the operator’s portfolio suggested under-reamers had high value
– Deepwater applications
Design philosophy – control the mechanical actuation of existing under-reamers
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Circulating Subs
No limitation to the number of tools in the string
Can open or close with tags, and can incorporate time-based operations.
– Command opens the tool and “close again in 10 minutes”– ~20 cycles of the tool per run with current battery system
Advantages – No ball seats or flow restrictions– Can operate in air or foam fluid systems
Significant design related to sealing under pressure
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Circ Sub ApplicationsIncreasing flow / hole cleaning above motors
Flow splitting
Wellbore clean up in multiple size casings
Spotting LCM’s without plugging motors / MWD’s– Significant tool design related to isolating flow to the BHA
Spotting kill weight fluid in the vertical section of horizontal wells
– Field trails :Bakken, North Dakota underway
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Drilling Disconnects
Current project – RFID actuated drilling disconnects
Tags utilized to actuate a specific disconnect if pipe is stuck.
– Multiple disconnects in the same stringAttempt to disconnect at the deepest tool first
Primarily envisioned as a system for deep water– High cost operating environment– High drilling penetration rates
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Other RFID Actuated Drilling Tools
Expand on demand stabilizers and reamers– Key advantage: Finite control– Can close if necessary
Stage Collars for cementing
Bent subs
Many other tools possible: Stay focused.
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ConclusionsRFID actuation of downhole tools is a reality
– Many completion tools under development as well
Technical Advantages include:– Tools can be operated multiple times– Tools can be configured to operate in finite amounts, rather
than fully open or fully closed.– Tools have larger, concentric through bores that can allow
wireline operations ( e.g. surveys, back-offs, free point indicators) to be run.
Field trials are underway and learning’s continue
LITHIUM BATTERY INDUSTRY WIDE CONFERENCE– Safety, Design aspects– Marathon hosting Sept. 30 / October 1
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