Apparatus and method for performing downhole measurements

• US 6,360,823 B1
• Filed: 07/20/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intevep, S.A. (PDVSA Gas SA)
• Original Assignee: Intevep, S.A. (PDVSA Gas SA)
• Inventors: Ranson, Aaron, Espin, Douglas A., Zapico, Jose, Araujo, Mariela G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US09/619,813
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 166/66, 166/72, 166/250.01, 166/250.11, 166/255.1, 166/381, 175/40, 175/44, 175/45, 175/46, 175/48, 175/50, 731/525.5, 731/522.8, 731/520.2
• US Class Current: 166/381
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/001 Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/08 Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/02 Dump bailers, i.e. containers for depositing substances, e.g. cement or acids
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/00 Survey of boreholes or wells monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/26 Storing data down-hole, e.g. in a memory or on a record carrier

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a function in a flowing fluid includes an apparatus body and a drag member associated with the apparatus body. The drag member is configurable between drag configuration for moving with the fluid wherein the apparatus has a first drag and a reduced drag configuration for moving against the fluid wherein the apparatus has a second drag which is less than the first drag.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a function in a flowing fluid, comprising:

an apparatus body comprises an elongated member having a longitudinal axis; and

a drag member associated with said apparatus body and configurable between a drag configuration for moving with said fluid wherein said apparatus has a first drag and a reduced drag configuration for moving against said fluid wherein said apparatus has a second drag which is less than said first drag, wherein said drag member comprises means positionable relative to said apparatus body and said longitudinal axis between said drag configuration wherein said means extends away from said longitudinal axis and said reduced drag configuration wherein said means is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means comprises a substantially planar member having a planar surface positionable relative to said apparatus body between said drag configuration and said reduced drag configuration.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control member remotely associated with said drag member for configuring said drag member between said drag configuration and said reduced drag configuration.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power source within said apparatus body and a fluid actuated charger positioned on said apparatus body for charging said power source when said apparatus is exposed to said flowing fluid.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor member mounted relative to said apparatus body for sensing at least one condition of said flowing fluid selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, density, viscosity, water content, composition and multiphase flow.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a transmitter member mounted to said apparatus body and a receiver positioned remotely relative to said apparatus body, said transmitter being adapted for transmitting said at least one condition to said receiver.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a storage member mounted to said apparatus body for storing said at least one condition.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor member mounted to said apparatus body for sensing position of said apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drag member is configurable to at least one partial drag configuration between said drag configuration and said reduced drag configuration whereby drag relative to said fluid can be adjusted.

10. A method for positioning an apparatus relative to a flowing fluid, comprising the steps of:

providing a flow of fluid;

providing an apparatus comprising an apparatus body and a drag member associated with said apparatus body and configurable between a drag configuration having a first drag for moving with said flow of fluid and a reduced drag configuration having a second drag for moving against said flow of fluid wherein said second drag is less than said first drag;

positioning said apparatus in said flow of fluid with said drag member in said reduced drag configuration whereby said apparatus moves against said flow of fluid;

configuring said drag member in said drag configuration whereby said apparatus moves with said flow of fluid;

selectively controlling the position of the apparatus in said flow of fluid; and

measuring with said apparatus at least one condition of said flowing fluid at said selected position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said flow of fluid is a substantially vertical flow of fluid.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said flow of fluid is in a directional substantially opposite to gravitational forces on said apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said flow of fluid is in a well producing fluid from a subterranean formation to a surface location.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising controlling the configuration of said drag member from said surface location when said apparatus is in said well.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of measuring, with said apparatus, at least one condition of said flowing fluid selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, density, viscosity, water content, composition and multiphase flow.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting said at least one condition from said apparatus in said well to said surface location.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of measuring, with said apparatus, at least one condition of said flowing fluid selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, density, viscosity, water content, composition and multiphase flow.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of storing said at least one condition in said apparatus.

19. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of detecting with said apparatus a position of said apparatus relative to said flow of fluid.