METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING POSITION IN A PIPE

• US 20100013664A1
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Inventors: Zierolf, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US12/564,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20100013664A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.600
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe provides for the precise determination of location and associated characteristics of each pipe joint of a well, cross country pipeline or other fluid transmission line. The system includes a passive or active radio identification device at each joint in the pipe or casing string. The devices are preferably sealed within the resilient seal positioned between each pipe or casing joint. A pipeline tool includes a radio transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter transmitting on a frequency selected for resonating the identification devices. The resonant response of each device is detected by a receiver in the pipeline tool, with the response transmitted to the surface via the wireline to which the tool is connected. Alternatively, the tool may include storage information means until the tool can be recovered from the well or pipe. An information storage and retrieval system includes information on the location of each of the identification devices in the well or pipe, e.g., length or depth, pipe or casing diameter, previously logged geological characteristics and stratum at each identification device location, etc. The system may count each device as the tool passes through the pipe in order to determine the location of the tool at any point. Alternatively, each identification device may provide a distinct signal, with the tool transmitting the signal to the surface (or storing the signal for later retrieval) where the system correlates the signal with previously logged information for that specific location.

Claims

1. A pipeline comprising:

a pipe; and

at least one radio frequency identification device installed within said pipe and configured to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted from within said pipe and to provide a distinct response signal.

2. The pipeline of claim 1 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is installed at an intermediate point within said pipe.

3. The pipeline of claim 1 wherein said pipe has a plurality of sections with adjoining sections defining a joint therebetween and wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification device is installed in one of said plurality of joints.

4. The pipeline of claim 3 further comprising:

a seal positioned in said joint.

5. The pipeline of claim 3 wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification devices is installed at an intermediate point along one of said plurality of sections.

6. The pipeline of claim 1 wherein a plurality of radio frequency identification devices are installed within said pipe.

7. The pipeline of claim 6 wherein said pipe has a plurality of joints and wherein each of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices is installed in a different joint of said plurality of joints.

8. The pipeline of claim 1 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device has an antenna.

9. The pipeline of claim 8 wherein said antenna is configured as a loop.

10. The pipeline of claim 1 wherein the distinct response signal of one of said at least one radio frequency identification device is identical to the distinct response signal of another of said at least one radio frequency identification device.

11. A method of assembling casing for use in a well comprising:

installing at least one radio frequency identification device within casing, each of said at least one radio frequency identification device remaining within said casing as positioned in a well and configured to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted from within said casing and to provide a distinct response signal.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is installed at an intermediate point within said casing.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said casing has a plurality of sections with adjoining sections defining a joint therebetween and wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification device is installed in one of said plurality of joints.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification devices is installed at an intermediate point along one of said plurality of sections.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein a plurality of radio frequency identification devices are installed within said casing.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said casing has a plurality of joints and wherein each of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices is installed in a different joint of said plurality of joints.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is an active radio frequency identification device.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device has an antenna.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is secured within said pipe by means of a sleeve.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the distinct response signal of one of said at least one radio frequency identification device is identical to the distinct response signal of another of said at least one radio frequency identification device.