The use of high temperature electronics in downhole applications

To enable optimisation of the production from advanced oil and gas wells, measurement and control systems are being developed for permanent use downhole. These devices will allow us to measure and control individual production streams coming from different areas of production zones in a single reservoir or from different adjacent reservoirs. A surface controlled electric gas lift valve (EGLV) is used to control lift gas injection from the annulus of the well into the oil production string, in order to artificially lift the oil to the surface by lowering the hydrostatic head of the oil column. All these and other downhole measurement and control systems are linked to a Computer Assisted Operation's (CAO) system, a data gathering and transmission system linked to associated networks for reservoir and production management. The author describes the need for high temperature electronic components (e.g. modified CMOS and MEMS) in the development of intelligent wells.