iDT monitoring shut-in volume

The purpose of the field installation was to demonstrate field operability of the iDT instrument. The aim was to prove that it provides real-time physical measurements from a shut-in volume, where data is encoded and transmitted through the well’s tubular(s) and wellhead structure, to an outside location and from an outside location into the shut-in volume.

For this field deployment, the iDT was activated for approximately 55 hours.  During this time it underwent a series of trials to assess its ability to monitor shut-in volume. Tests included:

• Logging signals –  the iDT successfully transmitted physical data from downhole iDT sensor A and B every 10 minutes.
• Communication – all automatic (10 min interval) iDT transmissions were consistently and correctly received by wellhead transceivers as well as requests for reading.
• External noise and system stress testing – the iDT had a number of stress tests conducted to ensure the threshold for continued two-way communication.
• Power consumption – after 55 hours of activation while transmitting data sets for pressure and temperature every 10 minutes, in addition to approximately 70 data sets that were transmitted on demand, the iDT had a remaining battery capacity of >80%.

All in all the field trials were decidedly positive and exceeded ICONIC’s most optimistic expectations.

The iDT system worked flawlessly during regular conditions as well as in transient conditions with little or no apparent metal communication path. Although this has little practical implication it provides invaluable information to the system developers.

The results strongly suggest that significant deeper setting is well within the capability of the current system and will provide good readings at greater depths. 400 – 500 m depth is estimated to be within a realistic and comfortable range.

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