System and method for processing signals in a well

• US 7,063,146 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Schultz, Roger L., Fripp, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US10/692,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20050087339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 166/66, 166/65.1, 166/250.08, 340/853.2, 340/856.3, 340/856.4, 340/856.2
• US Class Current: 166/250.08
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

A system and method for transferring data across a component in a well, according to which a first module receives the data and transmits the data, via electromagnetic waves, through the component, and a second module receives the transmitted data from the first module.

Claims

1. A system for processing signals in a well, comprising:

a packer disposed in the well;

a data source disposed in the well for acquiring data relating to fluid leakage across the packer;

a wireless electronic transmitter disposed in the well and connected to the data source for receiving signals from the data source and transmitting corresponding signals through the packer; and

a receiver disposed in the well for receiving the corresponding signals from the transmitter after transmission through the packer.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical conductor connected to the receiver for passing the corresponding signals from the receiver uphole or downhole.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the corresponding signals are transmitted via electromagnetic waves.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the corresponding signals are transmitted acoustically.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter and/or receiver are mounted on, or adjacent to, the packer.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter and/or receiver are embedded in the packer.

7. A method for processing signals in a well, comprising the steps of:

acquiring data in the well relating to fluid leakage across a packer in the well;

transmitting signals corresponding to the data through the packer;

receiving the corresponding signals after transmission through the packer; and

conducting the corresponding signals from the receiver.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the signals corresponding to the data are transmitted via electromagnetic waves.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the signals corresponding to the data are transmitted acoustically.

10. A system for processing signals in a well, comprising:

a packer disposed in the well;

means disposed in the well for acquiring data relating to the fluid leakage across the packer;

transmitter means for receiving signals from the means and transmitting corresponding signals through the packer; and

receiver means disposed in the well for receiving the corresponding signals after transmission through the packer.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means connected to the receiver means for passing the corresponding signals from the receiver means uphole or downhole.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the data is transmitted via electromagnetic waves.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the data is transmitted acoustically.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the transmitter means and/or the receiver means are mounted on, or adjacent to, the packer.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the transmitter means and/or the receiver means are embedded in the packer.