Downhole measurement system and method

• US 7,201,226 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Gambier, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates; Zakiya W.
• Application Number:
  US10/711,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20060016593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 166/250.17
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1295 actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure

Abstract

A system and method measures a pressure or other measurement at a source (e.g. a hydraulic power supply) and in or near a downhole tool and compares the measurements to verify that, for example, the supply is reaching the tool. The system and method also may utilize a gauge positioned within a packer or positioned for communication with the setting chamber of a packer.

Claims

1. A packer, comprising:

a pressure sensor positioned therein; and

a second pressure sensor, wherein outputs of the pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are compared to determine whether sufficient fluid is reaching the packer.

2. The packer of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a micro-electro-mechanical systems sensor.

3. The packer of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a nanotechnology-based sensor.

4. The packer of claim 1, further comprising:

a setting chamber; and

the sensor is positioned within a setting chamber.

5. A completion, comprising:

a packer having a setting chamber supplied with hydraulic fluid from a remote source;

a pressure gauge adapted to measure a pressure within the setting chamber; and

a pressure sensor to measure a pressure of the hydraulic fluid, supplied by the remote source, at a location remote from the setting chamber, wherein the pressure within the setting chamber is compared with the pressure at the location remote from the setting chamber to determine whether the hydraulic fluid is reaching the setting chamber.

6. The completion of claim 5, wherein the pressure gauge measures the direct pressure of the setting chamber.

7. The completion of claim 5, wherein the pressure gauge is directly ported to the setting chamber.

8. The completion of claim 5, wherein the pressure gauge is positioned within the setting chamber.

9. The completion of claim 5, wherein the pressure gauge is positioned above the packer in a well.

10. The completion of claim 5, wherein the pressure gauge is adapted to measure a tubing pressure in an interior central passageway of the packer via the setting chamber.

11. A completion, comprising:

a packer;

a gauge above the packer;

the gauge communicating with an interior cavity of the packer; and

a redundant gauge to verify measurements of the gauge by sensing the same well characteristic at a location spaced from a measurement location of the gauge.

12. The completion of claim 11, wherein the gauge is directly connected to the packer.

13. The completion of claim 11, wherein the gauge is positioned within the interior cavity of the packer.

14. A method for use in a well, comprising:

directly measuring a pressure in a setting chamber of a downhole tool with a pressure gauge; and

verifying the pressure measured in the setting chamber by sensing the pressure at a spaced measurement location relative to the setting chamber.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising measuring a tubing pressure with the pressure gauge.

16. A method for use in a well, comprising:

positioning a plurality of gauges within a packer;

measuring well characteristics at different positions within the well using the gauges; and

verifying at least one measured well characteristic by sensing the same measured well characteristic at a spaced measurement location.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising measuring a tubing pressure with one of the gauges.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising measuring an annulus pressure with one of the gauges.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising measuring a setting chamber pressure within the packer with one of the gauges.