Method and system for performing operations and for improving production in wells
First Claim
1. A method for performing an operation in a well comprising:
- providing a first device in the well which is uniquely identified and located at a known depth in the well;
providing a second device configured to locate the first device in the well;
transporting the second device through the well; and
controlling the operation responsive to the second device locating the first device.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for performing operations and for improving production in a well includes the steps of: providing radio identification devices at known locations in the well, and providing a reader device configured to read the identification devices, and to control the operations responsive to signals from the identification devices. The method also includes the steps of providing a process tool, and transporting the process tool and the reader device through the well. The reader device is programmed to control the process tool upon reception of a response signal from a selected identification device. The method can be used to perform perforating processes, packer setting processes, bridge plug setting processes, logging processes, inspection processes, chemical treating processes, and cleaning processes. In addition, the method can be performed dynamically by controlling the tool as it moves through the well, or statically by stopping the tool at a particular location within the well. A system for performing the method includes the identification devices, the reader device, the process tool, and a computer or controller. In addition the identification devices can be placed in casing collars of the well and can be configured as passive devices or as active devices.
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Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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providing a first device in the well which is uniquely identified and located at a known depth in the well;
providing a second device configured to locate the first device in the well;
transporting the second device through the well; and
controlling the operation responsive to the second device locating the first device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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providing a first device at a known depth in the well configured to transmit a signal which identifies the first device;
providing a second device configured to receive the signal and to control the operation upon reception of the signal;
transporting the second device through the well proximate to the first device; and
controlling the operation responsive to reception of the signal by the second device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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providing a process tool;
providing a plurality of spaced, uniquely identified identification devices in the well;
providing a reader device configured to read the identification devices and to transmit a control signal for controlling the process tool;
programming the reader device to transmit the control signal at a selected identification device;
transporting the process tool and the reader device through the well;
reading the identification devices using the reader tool; and
transmitting the control signal at the selected identification device to control the process tool and perform the operation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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providing a well casing comprising a plurality of radio identification devices located at spaced intervals along a length thereof;
determining a depth of each radio identification device within the well;
providing a process tool configured to perform the operation at a selected portion of the well casing proximate to a selected radio identification device;
providing a reader device configured to identify each radio identification device;
moving the process tool and the reader device through the well casing; and
controlling the process tool to perform the operation at the selected portion when the reader device is proximate to the selected radio identification device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for performing a perforating operation in a well comprising:
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providing a well casing comprising a plurality of couplings;
placing a plurality of radio identification devices in the couplings configured to transmit rf signals;
providing a perforating tool configured to form an opening in a selected portion of the well casing;
providing a reader device configured to receive the rf signals from the radio identification devices and to control the perforating tool responsive to the rf signals;
transporting the perforating tool and the reader device through the well casing; and
controlling the perforating tool using the reader device to form the opening. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for performing a setting operation in a well comprising:
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providing a well casing comprising a plurality of couplings;
placing a plurality of radio identification devices in the couplings configured to transmit rf signals;
providing a setting tool configured to seal a selected portion of the well casing;
providing a reader device configured to receive the rf signals from the radio identification devices and to control the setting tool responsive to the rf signals;
transporting the setting tool and the reader device through the well casing; and
controlling the setting tool using the reader device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for performing a first operation and a second operation in a well comprising:
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providing a plurality of uniquely identified identification devices located at spaced intervals at known depths within the well;
providing a first process tool configured to perform the first operation;
providing a second process tool configured to perform the second operation;
providing a reader device configured to identify each identification device;
moving the first process tool and the second process tool with the reader device through the well;
controlling the first process tool to perform the first operation when the reader device is proximate to a first identification device; and
controlling the second process tool to perform the second operation when the reader device is proximate to a second identification device. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for performing a setting operation and a perforating operation in a well comprising:
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providing a setting tool configured to perform the setting operation and a perforating tool configured to perform the perforating operation;
providing a well casing comprising a plurality of radio identification devices located at known depths within the well;
providing a reader device configured to receive rf signals from the radio identification devices and to control the setting tool and the perforating tool responsive to the rf signals;
transporting the setting tool, the perforating tool and the reader device through the well casing;
controlling the setting tool to perform the setting operation when the reader device receives a first rf signal from a first radio identification device; and
controlling the perforating tool to perform the perforating operation when the reader device receives a second rf signal from a second radio identification device. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A method for improving production in an oil or gas well comprising:
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providing a first device at a known depth in the well configured to transmit a signal which identifies the first device;
providing a second device configured to receive the signal and to control an operation within the well upon reception of the signal;
transporting the second device through the well proximate to the first device; and
controlling the operation responsive to reception of the signal by the second device. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for improving production in an oil or gas well comprising:
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providing a well casing comprising a plurality of radio identification devices located at spaced intervals along a length thereof;
determining a depth of each radio identification device within the well;
providing a process tool configured to perform an operation at a selected portion of the well casing proximate to a selected radio identification device;
providing a reader device configured to identify each radio identification device;
moving the process tool and the reader device through the well casing; and
controlling the process tool to perform the operation at the selected portion when the reader device is proximate to the selected radio identification device. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A system for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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a process tool configured for transport through the well;
a plurality of radio identification devices located at spaced intervals at known depths in the well configured to transmit response signals for uniquely identifying each radio identification device; and
a reader device configured for transport through the well for receiving the response signals from the radio identification devices and for controlling the process tool responsive to the response signals. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A system for performing an operation in a well comprising:
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a well casing comprising a plurality of tubular elements joined by casing couplings;
a process tool configured for transport through the well casing;
a plurality of radio identification devices located on the couplings and configured to transmit response signals; and
a reader device attached to the process tool and configured to receive the response signals from the radio identification devices and to transmit control signals for controlling the process tool. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A system for perforating a well casing comprising:
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a perforating tool comprising a plurality of charge assemblies;
a plurality of radio identification devices attached to the well casing at spaced intervals at known depths in the well casing and configured to transmit rf signals;
a reader device attached to the perforating tool and configured to receive the rf signals from the radio identification devices and to control detonation of the charge assemblies responsive to the rf signals; and
a transport mechanism for transporting the perforating tool and the reader device through the well casing. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72)
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73. A system for setting a setting tool in a well casing comprising:
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a plurality of radio identification devices attached to the well casing at spaced intervals and known depths and configured to transmit rf signals;
a reader device attached to the packer tool and configured to receive the rf signals from the radio identification devices and to control the setting tool responsive to the rf signals; and
a transporting mechanism for transporting the setting tool and the reader device through the well casing. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75)
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Specification