DOWNHOLE MATERIAL-DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR SUBTERRANEAN WELLS

• US 20120090835A1
• Filed: 10/13/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Kefi, Slaheddine
• Application Number:
  US12/903,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20120090835A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/252.6
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/02 Dump bailers, i.e. containers for depositing substances, e.g. cement or acids
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/165 Cementing plugs specially adapted for being released down-hole cementing heads E21B33/05
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/11 using tracers; using radioactivity

Abstract

Methods for releasing tracers into a well for diagnostic studies during subterranean-well operations comprise filling one or more hollow bodies with substances The system that comprise a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing, wireline or combinations thereof. After the system is lowered into the well, the tracer substance may be remotely and safely released into the well.

Claims

1. A method for measuring process-fluid loss in a subterranean well having a wellbore, comprising:

i. at a secure location, placing one or more tracers into at least one body with at least one internal chamber;

ii. incorporating the body into a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;

iii. lowering the system into the well;

iv. releasing one or more tracers into the well; and

v. monitoring the tracer concentrations in process fluids circulating past the borehole wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one tracer is released above the loss zone, and a different tracer is released below the loss zone.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tracer concentrations are monitored in process fluid located above the loss zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more tracers are released above the loss zone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more tracers are released below the loss zone.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer comprises one or more members of the list comprising:

radioactive compounds, transition-metal compounds, organic compounds and dyes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer release is initiated by process-fluid flow.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer release is initiated by means that are independent of process-fluid flow.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the independent means comprise one or more members of the list comprising electric motors, magnetic fields and explosive devices.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the release of one or more microelectric mechanical systems.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the process fluid is analyzed after removal from the well.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the process fluid is analyzed remotely by sensors in the well.

13. A method for improving wellsite-personnel safety during subterranean-well operations, comprising:

i. at a secure location, placing a hazardous substance into at least one body with at least one internal chamber;

ii. sealing the body;

iii. incorporating the sealed body into a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;

iv. lowering the system into the well; and

v. releasing the substance into the well.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the release of the substance into the well is initiated by process-fluid flow.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the release of the substance into the well is initiated by means that are independent of process-fluid flow.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the independent means comprise one or more members of the list comprising electric motors, magnetic fields and explosive devices.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the substance comprises fluids, particles, fibers or combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the substance comprises one or more tracers.

19. A method for diagnosing fluid loss in a subterranean well having a wellbore, comprising:

i. placing one or more tracers into at least one internal chamber of a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;

iii. lowering the system into the well;

iv. releasing one or more tracers into the well; and

v. monitoring the tracer concentrations in process fluids circulating past the borehole wall.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the diagnosis is the severity of the fluid loss zone, or the location of the fluid-loss zone or both.