Why Injection Profiling is Essential in Drilling Maintenance

In the world of pipeline drilling, especially systems utilizing fluids for cooling and pressure in the line, injection profiles play a key role. They evaluate the health of the drilling channel and behavior of the product as it comes back through that same channel.

There is particular attention on the injection side of the picture, what’s happening with the fluids sent into the channel, where there might be potential problems brewing, and a health check on the entire system line operationally.

Evaluation Through Surveys

Multiple tools are available for pipeline profile testing to help evaluate the condition of a pipeline internally, especially in areas well underground where it can’t be monitored otherwise.

Gamma Ray Measurement

One method of evaluation involves what is known as a radioactive tracer test. This logging of placement, location and status of a radioactive plug gives a measurable evaluation of the channel by tracking how much of the radioactive leftover stays behind as the slug transits through the drill hole to its destination.

The measurement is made possibly by gamma rays emitted from the slug which can then be picked up through signal measurement. Radioactive material is in a constant state of release, so it makes for the ideal vector through which to leave traces that can then be identified through sensors after the fact.

Since radiation radiance goes in all directions, it also works very well for tracing measurements on the entirety of a pipeline internally versus just one contact point.

The entire length of a channel isn’t measured, however; instead, the gamma ray leftover is tracked at key points to evaluate the rate of distribution as the slug travels through the line. Why does this help? It provides an effective way to spot leakage or cracks in the channel which can disrupt or bleed off fluid flow when full harvest material is moving through it.

If gamma rays penetrate through a leak, that throws a variation to the sensors where the gamma ray deposits. Not ending up in the right place becomes a flag.

Pipeline Route Temperature Change

Alternatively, the temperature evaluation approach focuses on temperature changes within the well channel and where there are deviations from normal expectations. Ideally, the fluid should have a consistent temperature basis, with a hot point at the borehole and a cold point at the top with the most exposure to the air.

If the variations start to dramatically occur along the line instead, it is a flag that something is going on at those points that needs inspection, especially if friction-based. Casing formation annulus is a good example of what might be occurring in these hot spots. Again, the causation of this kind of situation can be a fracture or leak in the casing of the channel, creating an aggregate risk of channel failure over time.

Diameter Differences Along a Pipeline

A third measurement method can involve a running caliper evaluation. This looks at the width of the pipeline channel throughout the route path for the fluid. There are already going to be differences on the natural because the production of pipeline casings can vary in diameter along a line length.

The goal here for pipeline health involves checking for big warpage, bubbling, bends and overall pipeline stability from one end to the other down to the borehole contact point.

Prevention Is Far Better Strategically for any Pipeline Production

Wear and tear on equipment can be dramatic, especially with 24/7 production on a rig and high demand. Inspection profiles by specialized testing support like that from Renegade Wireline Services USA plays a key role in protecting investments and infrastructure on a pipeline rig, particularly with injection channels for fluid delivery.

Leaks need to be addressed, but the challenge is finding them in the first place. Any pipeline under pressure with a fracture or leak becomes suspect for a greater problem if ignored. There have already been plenty of stories about pipeline breaks and failures, so there’s no need to become another statistic when it can be avoided.

Avoidance usually only turns into a huge environmental mess and related cleanup when the diversion is eventually discovered along the line. With pipeline internal status evaluations, profiling and trial runs, leakage can be nipped in the bud before it turns into a profit-loss nightmare for an operation.