Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining formation information utilizing sensors attached to a casing in a wellbore
First Claim
1. A sensing apparatus which is affixed to a wellbore device, the wellbore device located and fixed in an earth formation traversed by the wellbore device, said sensing apparatus comprising:
- a) a housing disposed in an opening through the wellbore device and extending into said earth formation, said housing in contact with the wellbore device;
b) a sensor which senses a condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and a fluid in the wellbore device, andc) circuitry, housed within said housing and coupled to said sensor, that generates a wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor, wherein said wireless signal is represented by magnetic flux in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus, and wherein said wireless signal is adapted to communicate information to an interrogator device that is movable in said wellbore device to a position in said local region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining information regarding a formation, a casing, or fluid within the casing are provided which utilize an interrogator and one or more sensing devices attached to a casing in a wellbore. The interrogator is located within and may be movable inside the wellbore. The sensing device is positioned and fixed in an opening in the casing. The sensing device includes a housing and a sensor with associated electronic circuitry. The interrogator and sensing device include a magnetic coupling therebetween that is operable when the interrogator and sensing device are positioned in close proximity to one another. Preferably, the magnetic coupling is realized by at least one solenoid winding for the interrogator and at least one solenoid winding for the sensing device, which provide a loosely-coupled transformer interface therebetween. The interrogator and sensing device communicate in a wireless manner over the magnetic coupling therebetween.
76 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A sensing apparatus which is affixed to a wellbore device, the wellbore device located and fixed in an earth formation traversed by the wellbore device, said sensing apparatus comprising:
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a) a housing disposed in an opening through the wellbore device and extending into said earth formation, said housing in contact with the wellbore device; b) a sensor which senses a condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and a fluid in the wellbore device, and c) circuitry, housed within said housing and coupled to said sensor, that generates a wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor, wherein said wireless signal is represented by magnetic flux in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus, and wherein said wireless signal is adapted to communicate information to an interrogator device that is movable in said wellbore device to a position in said local region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for obtaining information about an earth formation traversed by a wellbore device, the wellbore device fixed within the earth formation, said system including:
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a) an interrogator movable in the wellbore device; and b) at least one sensing apparatus which is affixed to the wellbore device and which extends into the formation, said at least one sensing apparatus including i) a housing disposed in an opening through the wellbore device and extending into said earth formation, said housing in contact with the wellbore device, ii) a sensor which senses a condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and fluid in the wellbore device, and iii) circuitry, housed within said housing and coupled to said sensor, that generates a first wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor, wherein said first wireless signal is represented by magnetic flux in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus; wherein said interrogator is adapted to receive said fist wireless signal when moved to a position in said local region. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for transmitting information in an earth formation traversed by a wellbore device, the wellbore device located and fixed in the earth formation, the method comprising:
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a) affixing at least one sensing apparatus to the wellbore device such that the sensing apparatus extends into the formation, said at least one sensing apparatus including i) a housing disposed in an opening through the wellbore device and extending into said earth formation, said housing in contact with the wellbore device, ii) a sensor which is capable of sensing a condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and a fluid in the wellbore device, and iii) circuitry, housed within said housing and coupled to said sensor, that is capable of generating a first wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor, wherein said first wireless signal is represented by magnetic flux in a region of the wellbore device in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus; b) sensing with said sensing apparatus the condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and a fluid in the wellbore device; c) locating an interrogator device in said local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus; d) generating the first wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor; e) receiving the first wireless signal at said interrogator device; and f) causing an indication of said first wireless signal to be obtained uphole. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for identifying a place of interest in an earth formation traversed by a wellbore device, the method comprising:
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a) affixing a location indicator to the wellbore device at the place of interest, said at least one location indicator including a housing in contact with the wellbore device and circuitry that is capable of generating a wireless signal represented by magnetic flux in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said at least one location indicator; b) generating said wireless signal with said location indicator; c) moving a detecting device through the wellbore device and past said location indicator, said detecting device adapted to receive said wireless signal; d) identifying the place of interest by finding a sharp null in said wireless signal.
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40. A method of interrogating a sensing apparatus which is affixed to a wellbore device, the method comprising:
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a) locating an interrogator device in the vicinity of the sensing apparatus; b) communicating a wireless signal between the sensing apparatus and said interrogator device utilizing a loosely-coupled transformer interface therebetween; and c) causing an indication of said wireless signal to be obtained uphole.
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41. A sensing apparatus which is affixed to a wellbore device, the wellbore device located in an earth formation traversed by the wellbore device, said sensing apparatus comprising:
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a) a housing in contact with the wellbore device; b) a sensor which senses a condition of at least one of the earth formation, the wellbore device, and a fluid in the wellbore device, and c) circuitry, coupled to said sensor, that generates a wireless signal related to a determination of said condition sensed by said sensor, wherein said wireless signal is represented by magnetic flux in a local region of the wellbore device that is adjacent said sensing apparatus, wherein said wireless signal is adapted to communicate information to an interrogator device that is movable in said wellbore device to a position in said local region, and wherein said circuitry includes at least one solenoidal winding through which a modulating current is injected to thereby induce said magnetic flux. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification