High-resolution pressure transducer design and associated circuitry to build a network-ready smart sensor for distributed measurement in oil and gas production wells

Edval J P Santos,Leonardo B M Silva

doi:10.1007/s13202-021-01422-9

Abstract

Miniaturized single-mode thickness-shear pressure transducer combined with high-temperature SOI, silicon on insulator, integrated circuit technology is proposed as network-ready high-pressure high-resolution smart sensor for distributed data acquisition in oil and gas production wells. The transducer miniaturization is investigated with a full 3D computer model previously developed by the authors to assess the impact of intrinsic losses and various geometrical features on transducer performance. Over the last decades there has been a trend toward size reduction of high-resolution pressure transducer. The implemented model provides insight into the evolution of high-resolution pressure transducers from Hewlett-Packard™ to Quartzdyne™ and beyond. Distributed measurement in production oil wells in extreme harsh environment, such as found in the pre-salt layer, is an unsolved problem. The industry move toward electrified wells offers an opportunity for application of smart sensor technology and power line communications to achieve distributed high-resolution data acquisition.

Highlights

High-resolution pressure and temperature measurements are key data for reservoir assessment or well management
The proposed quartz transducer is capable of withstanding pressures greater than 137.89MPa at temperatures up to 200 °C with less than 20 pressure (MPa) Resolution (Pa) resolution depending on frequency to digital counter resolution
The 3D-FEM computer model developed by the authors has provided insight into the evolution process of high resolution transducers used in the oil and gas industry since the 1970’s

Summary

Introduction

High-resolution pressure and temperature measurements are key data for reservoir assessment or well management. The first high-resolution pressure transducer used in the oil and gas industry was the disk plate combined with two caps, shown, developed by Hewlett-PackardTM in the 1960’s Since this early transducer there has been an evolution in terms of size reduction and vibration mode utilized. Based on the obtained results a miniaturized thickness-shear 3D transducer combined with high-temperature silicon on insulator, SOI, integrated circuit technology is proposed as a network-ready high-pressure high-resolution smart sensor. This sensor technology has the potential of provoking a paradigm shift in pressure measurement in oil and gas well as it allows for distributed data acquisition.

Discussion

Conclusion