Structural Integrity and Mechanical Design of a Probe of High Pressure and High Temperature for Oil Wells Applying Finite Elements Tools

Measurement of high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) tools is regularly carried out in the hydrocarbons sector to determine not only the characteristics and performance of fluids inside the well, but also to evaluate the mechanical condition of the pipes and the automation of production. The mechanical features of these tools are significantly influenced by the mechanical design of the structure, which eventually affects their performance and integrity. This paper describes the design process and the analysis of the structural integrity of a HPHT measuring tool for oil wells in its sensors section. The classical theories of mechanical design and specifications of the ASME boilers and pressure vessels code were used. The study is performed for several operation variables in a numerical model using a commercial code of finite element method to determinate the maximum principal stresses, total displacements and safety factor in the mechanical elements that form the device. The numerical results were compared with the experimental data source from the laboratory tests.