Retrofit High-Speed Drilling Telemetry system

The research project "Retrofit High-speed Drilling Telemetry system" aims to develop a new way of enabling communication downhole. Downhole communication is essential to ensure a good wellbore quality and well placement which in turn is important for efficient production. Todays downhole telemetry can only transmit a limited amount of information with a long delay, making it hard to react to unexpected conditions in the well and limits the performance of drilling operations. The idea is to be able to retrofit high-speed communication equipment to the drillstring reusing existing drillpipe and other equipment. The aim is to provide low delay and high bandwith communication to downhole tools. The drilling environment is challenging, with shocks and virbrations, abrasive fluids, high pressures and temperatures. Modern materials and production methods, advanced electronics and knowledge about the well conditions enable this technology. The project aims to integrate these existing technologies into a reliable and economic system. The project group has completed experiments which have guided the development of prototypes. Prototypes have been constructed and evaluated.

This project demonstrates the viability of a low-latency, high-bandwidth downhole communication system which can be retrofit to existing drilling equipment. Initiatives for an industrial project are based on the technology and knowledge generated in this project. This will continue to further qualify the technology to make it appropriate in a commercial application.

Our Retrofit High-Speed Telemetry System will enable high data rate and low latency down-hole communication and does not rely on dedicated or special made drill pipes. The system has a small footprint on the rig and can be retrofitted onto existing drill pipe systems. This is done by communication via a cable deployed inside the drill string. Other important benefits are simple logistics, small number of connectors, and low capital expenses making the solution attractive in a wide range of drilling operations. This will enable closed-loop drilling process control and is an important step towards autonomous drilling. We imagine a system that is composed of the following main elements: a. Bottom hole assembly (BHA) element containing a control unit, energy storage, retraction/release mechanism b. Strengthened cable which deploys inside the drill string c. Stabilization/strain relief parts attached to the cable d. A device on the surface facilitating connection when adding new pipe e. A surface connector and communication interface Important research challenges which will be addressed in the project include: - The retraction/release mechanism to deploy a cable inside the drill-string from the Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA). The space constraints and the environment presents challenges which need to be overcome. - The design of a cable that transmits data reliably and can be stored in the Bottom Hole Assembly, and withstands the harsh environment during drilling must be identified. - A communication system which keeps the communication interruptions during connection short. This is a collaborative effort between IRIS and CMR, which will carry out the research with advice from a to be established advisory board.