Method for controlling production wells having permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors
First Claim
1. A method for controlling at least one downhole tool in a production well having a downhole formation evaluation sensor permanently located in a producing zone downhole, including:
- sensing at least one downhole formation parameter from the formation surrounding the production well using the downhole formation evaluation sensor to define at least one sensed formation parameter, wherein said sensed downhole formation parameter constitutes a parameter which is not normally present within the borehole; and
controlling at least one downhole tool in response to the sensed parameter.
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Abstract
A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron density, gamma ray porosity and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding water entering the production tubing. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing fluid and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur. In addition, the formation evaluation sensors themselves can be placed much closer to the actual formation (i.e., adjacent the casing or downhole completion tool) then wireline devices which are restricted to the interior of the production tubing.
374 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for controlling at least one downhole tool in a production well having a downhole formation evaluation sensor permanently located in a producing zone downhole, including:
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sensing at least one downhole formation parameter from the formation surrounding the production well using the downhole formation evaluation sensor to define at least one sensed formation parameter, wherein said sensed downhole formation parameter constitutes a parameter which is not normally present within the borehole; and controlling at least one downhole tool in response to the sensed parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A downhole formation evaluation tool comprising:
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a side pocket mandrel having a primary longitudinal bore and a side pocket, said side pocket mandrel including upper and lower connectors for connecting to production tubing or other downhole production tools; and at least one formation evaluation sensor for sensing formation parameters in the formation surrounding the side pocket mandrel, said at least one formation evaluation sensor residing in said side pocket, wherein said sensed downhole formation parameter constitutes a parameter which is not normally present within the borehole. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification