Apparatus and method for downhole well equipment and process management, identification, and actuation

• US 6,989,764 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Thomeer, Hubertus V., Kenison, Michael H., Forbes, Kevin J., Adnan, Sarmad, Sheffield, Randolph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US09/812,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.2, 340/853.7, 340/854.6, 340/854.9, 166/250.01
• US Class Current: 340/853.2
• 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 23/02 for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing E21B23/03 - E21B23/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 31/00 Fishing for or freeing objects in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0035 Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/119 Details, e.g. for locating perforating place or direction
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/024 of devices in the borehole determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/04 Measuring depth or liquid level
• 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 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/26 Storing data down-hole, e.g. in a memory or on a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00

Abstract

A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g., radio frequency) identification transmitter unit that stores an identification code and transmits a signal corresponding to the identification code; (b) providing a second downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic receiver unit that can receive the signal transmitted by the non-acoustic identification transmitter unit, decode the signal to determine the identification code corresponding thereto, and compare the identification code to a preset target identification code; wherein one of the first downhole structure and the second downhole structure is secured at a given location in a subterranean wellbore, and the other is moveable in the wellbore; (c) placing the second downhole structure in close enough proximity to the first downhole structure so that the non-acoustic receiver unit can receive the signal transmitted by the non-acoustic identification transmitter unit; (d) comparing the identification code determined by the non-acoustic receiver unit to the target identification code; and (e) if the determined identification code matches the target identification code, actuating or installing one of the first downhole structure or second downhole structure in physical proximity to the other.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between downhole tools and equipment in a wellbore, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first downhole structure adapted to operate in a first fluid having a first fluid density, said first structure having one or more non-acoustic transmitter units and one or more non-acoustic receiver units;

(b) providing a second downhole structure adapted to operate in a second fluid having a second fluid density, said second structure having one or more non-acoustic transmitter units and one or more non-acoustic receiver units;

(c) receiving a signal from the one or more non-acoustic transmitter units of the first downhole structure with the one or more non-acoustic receiver units of the second downhole structure; and

(d) receiving a signal from the one or more non-acoustic transmitter units of the second downhole structure with the one or more non-acoustic receiver units of the first downhole structure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating or installing downhole equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising returning the signal to the surface of the wellbore.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the signal with one or more non-acoustic receiver units of the first and second downhole structure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first downhole structure is a substantially autonomous downhole tool.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a propulsion mechanism to move said first downhole structure in the first fluid.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said second downhole structure is a substantially autonomous downhole tool.