Apparatus and methods for placing downhole tools in a wellbore

• US 6,736,210 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2001
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Hosie, David, Roesnor, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US09/778,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20020104653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 166/254.2, 166/255.1, 166/255.2, 166/255.3, 166/66, 166/297, 166/55.1, 166/117.6, 166/50, 166/381
• US Class Current: 166/254.2
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/125 using earth as an electrical conductor by electromagnetic energy E21B47/13

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided that permit downhole tools to be run into a well along with logging tools that can log the downhole tools into place by real time transmission of the data to a surface location. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a telemetry tool, a logging tool in communication with the telemetry tool and a downhole tool.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a wellbore operation comprising:

a transmitter;

at least one logging tool in communication with the transmitter, wherein the logging tool is configured to record lithological data as the logging tool passes a plurality of lithologies; and

at least one wellbore component that can be run into a wellbore on a tubular string and positioned in the wellbore by using information provided by the logging tool.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is an electromagnetic telemetry tool.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one logging tool is a reservoir interface tool.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wellbore component includes a perforating gun.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the perforating gun is a tubing conveyed perforating gun.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wellbore component includes a packer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wellbore component includes a bridge plug.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wellbore component includes a whipstock and an anchor to fix the whipstock in a predetermined position within the wellbore.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a cutting tool temporarily disposed on the whipstock by means of a frangible connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic telemetry tool comprises:

a processor;

a battery connected to the processor; and

a transmitter/receiver disposed in communication with the processor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic telemetry tool further comprises:

a modulator disposed in communication with the processor;

a preamplifier disposed in communication with the modulator; and

a power amplifier disposed in communication with the preamplifier and with the transmitter/receiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electromagnetic telemetry tool further comprises:

a pressure sensor; and

a temperature sensor, both sensors disposed in communication with the processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a surface system comprising a controller having input/output devices and a transmitter/receiver disposed in connection with the controller to communicate signals selectively with the transmitter and the logging tool.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the surface system further comprises a depth-determining system for determining a depth position of the logging tool.

15. An apparatus for performing a wellbore operation, comprising:

a transmitter;

a gamma ray tool in communication with the electromagnetic telemetry tool; and

at least one wellbore component that can be run into a wellbore on a tubular string and positioned in the wellbore by using information provided by the gamma ray tool.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the gamma ray tool comprises a radiation detector.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gamma ray tool further comprises a telemetry tool interface disposed in communication with the electromagnetic telemetry tool.

18. An apparatus for performing a wellbore operation comprising:

a transmitter;

a neutron tool in communication with the transmitter; and

at least one wellbore component that can be run into a wellbore on a tubular string and positioned in the wellbore by using information provided by the neutron tool.

19. A method for logging into place a wellbore component disposed on a tubular string, comprising:

lowering the wellbore component, an electromagnetic telemetry tool and a gamma ray tool disposed on the tubular string into a wellbore;

producing a partial log utilizing the gamma ray tool while the wellbore component is moved adjacent a correlative formation marker;

comparing the partial log to a well log to determine a depth position adjustment; and

adjusting a position of the wellbore component according to the depth position adjustment.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting signals representing data collected by the gamma ray tool to a surface system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the signals are transmitted utilizing an electromagnetic transmission method.

22. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising:

running an apparatus into the wellbore on a tubular string, wherein the apparatus includes a transmitter, at least one logging tool in communication with the transmitter, and at least one wellbore component;

collecting lithological data via the logging tool;

transmitting the lithological data to the surface via the transmitter;

determining a desired location for the wellbore component by using the lithological data; and

locating the wellbore component to the desired location in the wellbore.

23. The method of claim 22, further including the step of comparing the information to a well log previously run in the wellbore.