Wireless reservoir production control
First Claim
1. A reservoir production control system comprising:
- a plurality of wells disposed on a reservoir, each well having a borehole and at least one piping structure located within the borehole;
a central computer for collecting downhole data from one or more wells;
a downhole communication network associated with one or more wells, the downhole communication network being capable of conveying electrical communication signals along the tubing string piping structure of the well with electrically isolated portions of the piping structure defined by electrical chokes;
a surface communication network for communicating information between the downhole communication network and the central computer; and
whereby the central computer receives downhole data via the downhole communication network and the surface communication network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reservoir production control system includes a plurality of wells for producing a reservoir linked to a central computer over a downhole communication network and a surface communication network. Both the downhole and the surface communication networks are wireless communications paths for transmitting downhole data and surface data to the central computer. Both networks include a series of interconnected tubing or pipe that allows transmission of data over electrically isolated portions of the pipe and tubing. After integrating and analyzing all relevant data and comparing the data with a reservoir model, the central computer initiates changes in a plurality of downhole control devices associated with the wells, thereby optimizing the production of the reservoir.
215 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A reservoir production control system comprising:
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a plurality of wells disposed on a reservoir, each well having a borehole and at least one piping structure located within the borehole;
a central computer for collecting downhole data from one or more wells;
a downhole communication network associated with one or more wells, the downhole communication network being capable of conveying electrical communication signals along the tubing string piping structure of the well with electrically isolated portions of the piping structure defined by electrical chokes;
a surface communication network for communicating information between the downhole communication network and the central computer; and
whereby the central computer receives downhole data via the downhole communication network and the surface communication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A reservoir production control system comprising
a plurality of wells for producing a reservoir, each well having a borehole extending from the surface, and at least one piping structure located within the borehole; -
at least one downhole data pod located within the borehole of one of the wells for monitoring downhole data about downhole physical characteristics of the well;
at least one surface data pod for monitoring surface data;
a central computer for collecting the surface data from the surface data pod and the downhole data from the downhole data pod;
a downhole communication network for transmitting alternating current electrical power and communication signals along an electrically isolated portion of the piping structure of the one or more wells from the downhole data pod to the surface of the one or more wells;
a surface communication network electrically connected between the surface of the well and the central computer;
wherein the surface communication network includes a plurality of interconnected pipes having electrically isolated portions for communicating information between the surface of the well and the central computer, and wherein the downhole data and the surface data is analyzed by the central computer to optimize production of the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling the production of a reservoir having a plurality of wells for producing the reservoir, each well having a borehole extending from the surface, and a tubing string inserted in the borehole, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) communicating downhole data from a downhole pod in at least one of the wells to the surface along a downhole communication network utilizing an electrically isolated portion of the tubing string;
(b) providing a central computer for collecting the downhole data from one or more wells;
(c) communicating the downhole data from the surface of the well to the central computer along a surface communication network; and
(d) analyzing the downhole data and communicating instructions from the central computer to at least one of the wells to change selected operating parameters of the well. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification