Upgrades in Thermal Protection for Downhole Instruments

Abstract

Measurement of geophysical parameters in progressively deeper and hotter wells have prompted design changes that improve the performance of downhole instruments and their associated thermal protection systems. This report provides a brief description of the mechanical and thermal loads to which these instruments and systems are subjected. Each design change made to the passive thermal protection system is described along with its resulting improvement. An outline of work being done to scope an active thermal protection system and the preliminary qualitative results are also described.