WELLBORE TELEMETRY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100328096A1
• Filed: 09/01/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: MADHAVAN, Raghu, SANTOSO, David, HACHE, Jean-Michel, HUTIN, Remi
• Granted Patent: US 8,164,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling

Abstract

A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A downhole telemetry system, comprising:

a wired drill pipe (“

WDP”

) telemetry system comprising a plurality of inductively connected WDPs;

a telemetry adapter configured to provide a communication connection with the WDP telemetry system; and

a downhole tool operatively connected to the WDP telemetry system via the telemetry adapter.

29. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, further comprising a cable that operatively connects the telemetry adapter to the downhole tool.

30. The downhole telemetry system of claim 29, wherein a downhole connector is connected to the cable and is configured to inductively couple to the downhole tool.

31. The downhole telemetry system of claim 29, wherein the telemetry adapter comprises a drill string telemetry connector configured to matingly connect with an uphole connector of the cable.

32. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the telemetry adapter comprises a transmitter configured to communicate with a surface control unit.

33. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the downhole tool is a measurement while drilling tool.

34. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the downhole tool is a logging while drilling tool.

35. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the drill string telemetry connector is disposed at one of a downhole end of the WDP telemetry system and a location within the WDP telemetry system.

36. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the telemetry adapter is disposed within or adjacent to a WDP at a downhole end of the WDP telemetry system.

37. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the telemetry adapter is configured to provide communication and power signals to the downhole tool.

49. The downhole telemetry system of claim 28, wherein the downhole tool is a wireline tool.

38. A method for communicating with a downhole tool, comprising:

connecting a plurality of wired drill pipes (“

WDPs”

) via inductive coupling elements of the WDPs;

connecting a telemetry adapter at a downhole end of the WDPs; and

communicating with a tool downhole of the telemetry adapter via the WDPs and the telemetry adapter.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising connecting a cable between the telemetry adapter and the downhole tool.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising coupling the cable to the tool via inductive coupling elements included in the tool and a downhole connector of the cable.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising communicating between the telemetry adapter and a surface control unit via a transmitter included in the telemetry adapter.

42. The method of claim 38, further comprising providing power and communication signals to the tool via the WDPs and the telemetry adapter.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein the tool is a wireline tool.

43. A downhole telemetry apparatus, comprising:

a telemetry adapter, comprising;

a first connector configured to inductively connect the adapter to a wired drill pipe (“

WDP”

); and

a second connector configured to operatively connect the adapter to a tool downhole of the adapter;

wherein the adapter provides a communication link between the WDP and the tool.

44. The downhole telemetry apparatus of claim 43, wherein the adapter further comprises a transmitter and a sensor providing communication between the adapter and a surface control unit.

45. The downhole telemetry apparatus of claim 43, wherein the second connector is configured to matingly connect with an uphole connector of cable disposed between the adapter and the tool.

46. The downhole telemetry apparatus of claim 43, wherein the adapter is configured to pass power and communication signals between the wire drill pipe and the tool.

47. The downhole telemetry apparatus of claim 43, wherein the adapter is configured to operatively connect WDP telemetry to a different telemetry system.

48. The downhole telemetry apparatus of claim 43, wherein the tool is a wireline tool.