DOWNHOLE OPTICAL ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCERS

• US 20140204712A1
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: SKINNER, Neal G., SAMSON, Etienne M., MAIDA, John L. Jr., STOKELY, Christopher L., BARFOOT, David A.
• Application Number:
  US13/748,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20140204712A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/81
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/14 using acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/48 using wave or particle radiation means G01D5/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/004 using fibre optic sensors light guides per se G02B6/00, acousto-optical devices specially adapted for gating or modulating in optical wave guides G02F1/125
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/226 Optoseismic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2210/1429 Subsurface, e.g. in borehole or below weathering layer or mud line

Abstract

A method of generating an acoustic signal in a subterranean well can include converting optical energy to acoustic energy downhole, thereby transmitting the acoustic signal through a downhole environment. A well system can include an optical acoustic transducer disposed in the well and coupled to an optical waveguide in the well, whereby the transducer converts optical energy transmitted via the optical waveguide to acoustic energy. An optical acoustic transducer for use in a subterranean well can include various means for converting optical energy transmitted via an optical waveguide to acoustic energy in the well.

Claims

1. A method of generating an acoustic signal in a subterranean well, the method comprising:

converting optical energy to acoustic energy downhole, thereby transmitting the acoustic signal through a downhole environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the converting further comprises converting the optical energy to electrical energy downhole.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the converting further comprises illuminating an optical to electrical transducer with light transmitted via an optical waveguide downhole.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the converting further comprises converting the electrical energy to the acoustic energy downhole.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising storing the electrical energy downhole.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising triggering a release of the electrical energy downhole.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the converting further comprises converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy downhole.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the converting further comprises converting the optical energy to thermal energy downhole.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the converting further comprises converting the thermal energy to the acoustic energy downhole.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the converting further comprises converting the thermal energy to mechanical energy downhole.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the converting further comprises converting the mechanical energy to the acoustic energy downhole.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the converting further comprises detonating an explosive device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detonating is performed by directing light transmitted via an optical waveguide in the well to the explosive device.

14. A well system, comprising:

an optical acoustic transducer disposed in the well and coupled to an optical waveguide in the well, wherein the transducer converts optical energy transmitted via the optical waveguide to acoustic energy.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the optical acoustic transducer comprises an optical electrical transducer which converts the optical energy to electrical energy in the well.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical electrical transducer is illuminated with light transmitted via the optical waveguide in the well.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical acoustic transducer further comprises an electrical acoustic transducer which converts the electrical energy to the acoustic energy in the well.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrical energy generated by the optical electrical transducer is stored in the well.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the optical acoustic transducer releases the stored electrical energy in the well.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the optical acoustic transducer comprises an optical thermal transducer which converts the optical energy to thermal energy in the well.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the optical acoustic transducer further comprises a thermal acoustic transducer which converts the thermal energy to the acoustic energy in the well.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the optical acoustic transducer further comprises a thermal mechanical transducer which converts the thermal energy to mechanical energy in the well.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the optical acoustic transducer further comprises a mechanical acoustic transducer which converts the mechanical energy to the acoustic energy in the well.

24. An optical acoustic transducer for use in a subterranean well, the optical acoustic transducer comprising:

means for converting optical energy transmitted via an optical waveguide to acoustic energy in the well.

25. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 24, wherein the converting means comprises an optical electrical transducer which converts the optical energy to electrical energy in the well.

26. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 25, wherein the optical electrical transducer is illuminated with light transmitted via the optical waveguide in the well.

27. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 25, wherein the converting means further comprises an electrical acoustic transducer which converts the electrical energy to the acoustic energy in the well.

28. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 25, wherein the electrical energy generated by the optical electrical transducer is stored in the well.

29. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 28, wherein the converting means releases the stored electrical energy in the well.

30. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 24, wherein the converting means comprises an optical thermal transducer which converts the optical energy to thermal energy in the well.

31. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 30, wherein the converting means further comprises a thermal acoustic transducer which converts the thermal energy to the acoustic energy in the well.

32. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 30, wherein the converting means further comprises a thermal mechanical transducer which converts the thermal energy to mechanical energy in the well.

33. The optical acoustic transducer of claim 32, wherein the converting means further comprises a mechanical acoustic transducer which converts the mechanical energy to the acoustic energy in the well.