Downhole Pressure and Temperature Sensor for Retrofitting into Producing Wells

NineSigma, representing ENI SpA, invites proposals for a sensor technology that permits the continuous downhole real time monitoring of producing oil & gas wells. The sensor needs to be installed at the bottom-end of the production tubing and able to monitor and record the downhole pressures and temperatures. The suitable sensor needs to be positioned and fixed downhole in a producing well. Data have to be transmitted on surface preferably in a wireless mode. See ANNEX 1 – Completion Schematic 

ENI SpA is operating several thousand producing oil & gas wells (on-shore, off-shore, sub-sea, both natural flowing and artificial lift equipped wells). Most of these wells, especially in mature assets, are not equipped with a permanent downhole Pressure and Temperature monitoring sensor.

ENI is looking for suitable instrumentation that can be retrofitted in these existing wells, suitable for long term downhole measurement and preferably able to transmit wirelessly the data to the surface well head. Part of the challenge is to install and anchor the sensor in the wells.

Being able to continuously monitor these wells will allow our client to better understand the reservoir’s behavior and enable suitable actions to improve reservoir management and production performances. The objective of this request is to have real time monitoring of the wells.

Anticipated Project Phases or Project Plan

Phase 1 – Proof of Concept (PoC)

• Demonstration of a working sensor in a client specified setting, including the measuring properties and transmitting of data to a receiving device
• Demonstration of a method to install and anchor the sensor
• Initial evaluation of sensor costs

 Phase 2 – Sensor optimization

• Further optimization of operating parameters and performance before going to large scale use.

The successful technology shall:

• Permit the measurement of pressure and temperature at the bottom of the well
  • Provide real-time data with a certain sampling rate (SR). Min requested SR = 1 data per minute
  • Preferably wireless transmitting of data and not make use of a downhole cable
  • Preferably perform with little maintenance or need to replace a power source like a battery (depends on easiness of possible retrieval method)
  • In case of an interface system installation on the surface, the interface system shall be suitable and certified to be installed in a ‘Hazardous Area Classified Zone I’ as per EN 60079-10 (or equivalent international standard)
  • The data acquisition system shall gather the data acquired downhole and store them in the internal memory. The memory shall guarantee at least 45 (forty-five) days of storage capacity at standard sampling rate
• Be compatible with following operating parameters:
  • Pressures ranging from atmosphere up to 10,000 psi
  • Temperatures ranging from +25°C to +150°C
  • Able to withstand differential pressure shocks
  • Initial accuracy of ±3 psi for pressure and ±0.5°C for temperature readings
  • Be stable over time (no drift) or max 0.1°C/year and +/-2 psi/year
  • Suitable for subsurface environments
  • Suitable for corrosive environments (presence of CO₂, H₂O)
  • Suitable for use in H₂S containing environments in accordance with ISO-15156
  • Suitable for dirty environments (presence of solids, asphaltenes, etc)
• Be compatible with “well integrity” requirements:
  • Do not punch or damage production tubing
  • Do not impair on safety valve closing capability
• Installation and Retrieval Methodology
  • Wireline retrofitting or any other innovative method
    • Have a suitable tool to allow Wireline retrofitting and retrieval
  • Avoid work-over and make no use of a rig
  • Be able to anchor the sensor in the production tubing
  • Be able to reach bottom even for wells with deviated profiles
• Be installed as close as possible to the bottom of the production tubing
  • Minimize as much as possible the restriction of production tubing flow area
  • Be as small as possible
  • Be as close as possible to the wall of the tubing
• Not pose HSE hazards to operators e.g. not make use of radioactive power sources

Notes:

• A single all encompassing solution may not be available. Proposals from organizations believing they have part of the solution are encouraged to participate and should describe how they would fit into an overall solution and if possible point to other sources for any missing elements.
• Client is not in a position to provide manufacturing or integration facilities. All work is expected to be provided by third parties.
• Client does not want exclusivity. Successful participants have the potential to offer the technology to other customers in order to increase scale and economies.