Method of recovering data acquired and stored down a well, by an acoustic path, and apparatus for implementing the method
First Claim
1. A method of recovering data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located below an obstruction (20), in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) disposed in a well (10), comprising the steps of:
- a. retrievably positioning a deployable interface tool (24) in the drillpipe string (12), above the obstruction (20), in such a way as to ensure acoustic coupling of the tool with the drillpipe string; and
b. transmitting data previously stored in the downhole unit (16) directly from the unit to the interface tool (24), in the form of acoustic signals traveling in the drillpipe string (12).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a well (10) in production or undergoing tests, the recovery of data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) below a test valve (20) is effected directly in the form of acoustic signals between the downhole unit (16) and an interface tool (24). To this end, acoustic coupling is established between the tool (24) and the drillpipe string (12), and electro-acoustic transducers are provided in the tool and in the downhole unit (16). Commands are transmitted in the opposite direction, also in the form of acoustic signals, in particular to initiate data recovery. The transmission of data and commands between the tool (24) and the surface unit (22) is effected by any known means, for example in the form of electrical signals carried by a cable (26).
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A method of recovering data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located below an obstruction (20), in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) disposed in a well (10), comprising the steps of:
-
a. retrievably positioning a deployable interface tool (24) in the drillpipe string (12), above the obstruction (20), in such a way as to ensure acoustic coupling of the tool with the drillpipe string; and b. transmitting data previously stored in the downhole unit (16) directly from the unit to the interface tool (24), in the form of acoustic signals traveling in the drillpipe string (12). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. Apparatus for recovering data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located below an obstruction (20) in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) in a well (10), comprising:
-
a. a deployable interface tool (24) adapted to be retrievable positioned in the drillpipe string (12) above the obstruction (20) and comprising acoustic coupling means (28) for coupling the tool to the drillpipe string; and means (30,
32) for directly transmitting data stored in the downhole unit (16), from the unit to the interface tool (24) in the form of acoustic signals traveling in the drillpipe string (12). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of recovering data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located below a valve (20), in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) sealingly secured in a well (10), said valve forming an obstruction in said string, comprising the steps of:
-
retrievably positioning a deployable interface tool (24) in the drillpipe string (12), above the valve (20), in such a way as to ensure acoustic coupling of the tool with the drillpipe string; and transmitting data previously stored in the downhole unit (16) directly from the unit to the interface tool (24), in the form of acoustic signals travelling in the drillpipe string (12). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. Apparatus for recovering data acquired and stored in a downhole unit (16) located below a valve (20), in the lower part of a drillpipe string (12) sealingly secured in a well (10), said valve forming an obstruction in said string, comprising:
-
an interface tool (24) adapted to be positioned in the drillpipe string (12) above the valve (20) and comprising acoustic coupling means (28) for coupling the tool to the drillpipe string; and means (30,
32) for directly transmitting data stored in the downhole unit (16), from the unit to the interface tool (24) in the form of acoustic signals. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification