Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores

• US 6,976,535 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Aronstam, Peter, Berger, Per-Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US10/753,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20050011645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 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, 731/560.2
• US Class Current: 166/250.11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/138 Devices entrained in the flow of well-bore fluid for transmitting data, control or actuation signals

Abstract

Flowable devices provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments. The flowable devices having unique addresses are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable devices are used for providing information to a downhole controller and/or retrieving information from a downhole device.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing flowable devices in a wellbore, the method comprising:

(a) providing at least one flowable device into a drilling tubular in the wellbore;

(b) providing a unique address to the at least one flowable device; and

(c) using a drilling fluid in the drilling tubular for flowing said at least one flowable device to a downhole location and performing a function selected from (i) providing information to a downhole controller, and, (ii) retrieving information from a downhole device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting the at least one flowable device from a group consisting of:

(i) a device having a sensor for providing a measure of a parameter of interest;

(ii) a device having a memory for storing data therein;

(iii) a device carrying energy that is transmittable to another device;

(iv) a solid mass carrying a chemical that alters a state when said solid mass encounters a particular property in the wellbore;

(v) a device carrying a biological mass;

(vi) a data recording device;

(vii) a device that is adapted to take a mechanical action, and (viii) a self-charging device due to interaction with the working fluid in the wellbore.

3. The method of claim 1, said function comprises making a measurement of a parameter of interest and wherein said selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that provides a measurement selected from a group consisting of:

(i) pressure;

(ii) temperature;

(iii) flow rate;

(iv) vibration;

(v) presence of a particular chemical in the wellbore;

(vi) viscosity;

(vii) water saturation;

(viii) composition of a material;

(ix) corrosion;

(x) velocity;

(xi) a physical dimension; and

(xi) deposition of a particular matter in a fluid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a flowable device that is adapted to carry data that is one of (i) prerecorded on the at least one flowable device;

(ii) recorded on the at least one flowable device downhole;

(iii) self recorded by the at least one flowable device;

(iv) inferred by a change of a state associated with the at least one flowable device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that is one of:

(i) resistant to wellbore temperatures;

(ii) resistant to chemicals;

(iii) resistant to pressures in wellbores;

(iv) vibration resistant;

(v) impact resistant;

(vi) resistant to electromagnetic radiation;

(vii) resistant to electrical noise; and

(viii) resistant to nuclear fields.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising recovering said at least one flowable device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one flowable device further comprises a plurality of flowable devices, each such flowable device adapted to perform at least one task.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the plurality of flowable devices in a manner that is one of:

(i) timed release, (ii) time independent release, (iii) on demand release, and (iv) event initiated release.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing the plurality of flowable devices at time intervals such that some of said plurality of flowable devices remain in the wellbore at any given time, thereby forming a network of devices in the wellbore.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of devices remaining in the wellbore communicates with at least one other of the plurality of devices remaining in the wellbore.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.