ULTRASONIC REFLEXION AMPLITUDE PRESSURE

Ziel

A patented procedure for nondestructive testing of premium gastight connections for oil and gas wells shall be further developed to an operational field and pipe mill tool. A reduction of the testing time of approximately 80% shall be achieved. No more leaks shall occur, the safety of labour shall be improved. At the mill-site, the development of new connection geometries shall be supported. Estimated project costs are circa 1 Million ECU.
Due to the reduction of the testing cycle and a reduction of the gas emissions a cost reduction and increase of environment safety achieved. Therefore enormous cost savings are possible and a economical success of the new technology will be secured.
No commercial success
Due to leaks in connections, Methane, CO2 and H2S are emitted into the annulus or, bypassing the casing strings, into the environment. H2S is highly toxic in a concentration above 5000 ppm. Gas reservoirs in Northern Germany, Holland and Southern France have an H2S content of up to 24%. An uncontrolled leak of toxic gases could be lethal and lead to huge explosions (blow-out).
Based on a Canadian patent describing the theory of a measurement process which measures the reflection of the ultrasonic signal at the contact area between pipe and coupling, the contact pressure between the sealing area of a metal-to-metal seal of a premium connection will be evaluated.
This contact pressure correlates to the leak-resistance of a gastight connection. Based on this patent a laboratory unit of URAP has been developed. Study shows clearly that the basic idea of the patent is applicable.
Based on the previous laboratory tests, an operational prototype shall be developed, which can be used to test connections on a field site as well as in a pipe-mill.
The ultrasonic test method measures the reflection of the ultrasonic signal at the contact area between pipe and coupling. The leak resistance of the connection is derived from the contact pressure. The amount of influencing parameters is considerable as described later. Information about these parameters has to be gathered empirically and converted into relevant mathematical models.
The development of the sensor technique for field use addresses risks, because only explosion proof equipment can be used on a drilling rig. The ultrasonic sensors have to be encapsulated to prevent explosion of the gas due to the energy of the ultrasonic signal.
For pipe-mill application, a minimum process cycle time has to be ensured. A surface reference scan cannot be achieved. In this case, different frequencies will be used to get information on the amplitude difference. This requires latest sensor technology.
Due to the reduction of thetesting cycle and a reduction of the gas emissions a cost reduction and increase of environment safety is achieved.
The development of the ultrasonic measuring process will lead to a knowledge of the relationship between the contact pressure of the metal-to-metal seal and the leak tightness as well as on the cause of a possible leak. This knowledge, gained during the project can be of use to increase safety on drilling rigs. By use of the measuring system, the pipe manufacturers can improve the design of gastight connections. Using the technology in the pipe-mill, where the couplings are applied to the pipes, the measurement results can be used for quality control purposes automatically reducing possible production errors.

Programm/Programme

ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994

Thema/Themen

5.3 - ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

WEATHERFORD OIL TOOL GMBH

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

HAINHAEUSER WEG 150
30855 LANGENHAGEN
Deutschland

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