Method and apparatus for improved communication in a wellbore utilizing acoustic signals
First Claim
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1. A method of communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, comprising the method steps of:
- providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a series acoustic transmission which includes a control signal;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes;
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said series acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said control signal from said series acpistoc transmission;
utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate said series acoustic transmission; and
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect and decode said series acoustic transmission.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.
124 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, comprising the method steps of:
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providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a series acoustic transmission which includes a control signal;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes;
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said series acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said control signal from said series acpistoc transmission;
utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate said series acoustic transmission; and
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect and decode said series acoustic transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, comprising the method steps of:
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providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a control signal in the form of a series acoustic transmission which is transmitted at a rate defined by a clock signal;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes;
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said series acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said control signal from said series acoustic transmission utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate said series acoustic transmission; and
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect and decode said series acoustic transmission. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, compromising:
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a transmission apparatus at said transmission which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a series acoustic transmission which is representative of a bit-by-bit product of a multiple-bit binary control signal and a clock signal;
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said series acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said multiple-bit binary control signal from said series acoustic transmission;
wherein, during a communication mode of operation;
(a) said transmission apparatus is utilized to generate said series acoustic transmission; and
(b) said reception apparatus is utilized to detect and decode said series acoustic transmission. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:
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providing a wellbore tubular string;
providing a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including;
(a) at least one perforating gun;
(b) at least one packer;
(c) at least one valve;
(d) each having (1) a force responsive member, (2) a gas generating member, and (c) a trigger member;
providing at least one acoustic receiver for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular acoustic command;
securing said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string;
lowering said wellbore tubular string into said wellbore;
transmitting a series of acoustic commands into said wellbore;
utilizing said at least one acoustic receiver to detect said series of acoustic commands, and to individually activate said trigger member of each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with each particular acoustic command of said series of acoustic commands in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member to said force responsive member to perform at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation through the sequential actuation of particular ones of said discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:
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a wellbore tubular string;
a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including;
(a) at least one perforating gun;
(b) at least one packer;
(c) at least one valve;
(d) each having (1) a force responsive member, (2) a gas generating member, and (c) a trigger member;
(e) each being secured in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string;
at least one acoustic receiver for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular acoustic command;
a transmitter for transmitting a series of acoustic commands into said wellbore;
wherein, during a control mode of operation, said at least one acoustic receiver is utilized to detect said series of acoustic commands, and to individually activate said trigger member of each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with each particular acoustic command of said series of acoustic commands in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member to said force responsive member to perform at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation through the sequential actuation of particular ones of said discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:
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providing a wellbore tubular string;
providing a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including;
(a) at least one perforating gun;
(b) at least one packer;
(c) at least one valve;
(d) each having (1) a force responsive member, (2) a gas generating member, and (c) a trigger member;
providing at least one receiver for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular command;
securing said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string;
lowering said wellbore tubular string into said wellbore;
transmitting a series of commands into said wellbore;
utilizing said at least one receiver to detect said series of acoustic commands, and to individually activate said trigger member of each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with each particular command of said series of commands in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member to said force responsive member to perform at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation through the sequential actuation of particular ones of said discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:
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a wellbore tubular string;
a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools secured to said wellbore tubular string, including;
(a) at least one perforating gun;
(b) at least one packer;
(c) at least one valve;
(d) each having (1) a force responsive member, (2) a gas generating member, and (c) a trigger member;
at least one receiver for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular command;
a transmitter for transmitting a series of commands into said wellbore;
wherein, during a control mode of oerpation, said at least one receiver is utilized to detect said series of commands, and to individually activate said trigger member of each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with each particular command of said series of commands in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member to said force responsive member to perform at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation through the sequential actuation of particular ones of said discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification