Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores
First Claim
1. A method of utilizing discrete devices in a wellbore wherein a working fluid provides a fluid flow path for moving said discrete devices from a first location of introduction of said devices into the flow path to a second location of interest, said method comprising:
- (a) introducing a plurality of flowable discrete devices comprising data carriers that are adapted to be moved in the wellbore at least in part by the working fluid and forming a network of flowable devices in the wellbore;
(b) introducing at least one flowable discrete device into the fluid flow path at the first location to cause the working fluid to move the at least one flowable device to the second location of interest; and
(c) providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at one flowable discrete device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore. The flowable devices return to the surface with the returning fluid.
302 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method of utilizing discrete devices in a wellbore wherein a working fluid provides a fluid flow path for moving said discrete devices from a first location of introduction of said devices into the flow path to a second location of interest, said method comprising:
-
(a) introducing a plurality of flowable discrete devices comprising data carriers that are adapted to be moved in the wellbore at least in part by the working fluid and forming a network of flowable devices in the wellbore;
(b) introducing at least one flowable discrete device into the fluid flow path at the first location to cause the working fluid to move the at least one flowable device to the second location of interest; and
(c) providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at one flowable discrete device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of utilizing flowable devices in a wellbore fig a fluid from a downhole location to the surface, each flowable device constituting a data carrier and adapted to be moved by the fluid, said method comprising:
-
(a) locating a plurality of flowable devices at a selected location in a wellbore;
(b) selectively releasing the flowable devices into fluid, thereby moving the flowable devices carry data from the selected location in the wellbore to the surface;
wherein at any instant of time, at least two of said flowable devices are in the wellbore, said at least two flowable devices capable of communication with each other. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
-
Specification