Method and apparatus for inspecting a tubular using acoustic signals
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorSarmad Adnan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for acoustically inspecting a tubular member is presented. In particular a method for inspecting coiled tubing using ultrasound is presented. The method includes contacting a tubular with a coupling material, transmitting an acoustic signal, receiving a returned acoustic signal and then releasing the contact of the coupling material with the tubular. The method has particular application for determining the wall thickness of coiled tubing as it is being unreeled into a borehole or wound on coiled tubing reel.
Claims20
A method for inspecting a tubular comprising the steps of
- a) contacting the tubular with a coupling material;
- b) transmitting an acoustic signal;
- c) receiving a returned acoustic signal;
- and
- d) releasing the contact of the coupling material with the tubular.
A method for inspecting a tubular comprising the steps of
- contacting the tubular with a coupling material
- transmitting an acoustic signal
- receiving an acoustic returned signal;
- and
- selectively increasing or decreasing the contact pressure of the coupling material on the tubular based on the received signal.
The method of 8, further comprising contacting, transmitting, receiving and selectively increasing or decreasing as the coiled tubing is being run in or pulled out of a borehole.
An apparatus for use in inspecting a tubular comprising:
- a housing comprising a coupling material having an axial bore through which a coiled tubing may be passed;
- an acoustic transducer;
- an activation cavity;
- a port;
- and
- a solenoid activated hydraulic valve operational to permit or restrict fluid flow in the activation cavity,
- wherein the hydraulic valve is operational in response to a signal received by the acoustic transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.