Apparatus and method for sensing downhole parameters

• US 7,278,480 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Grant, Douglas W., Longfield, Colin, Barriol, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai; Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith; Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US10/907,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20060219401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 166/254.1, 166/250.11, 340/853.1, 340/856.3, 731/520.1, 7315254-15259, 324/347
• US Class Current: 166/250.11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/13 Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
• 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 49/008 by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor measuring pressure E21B47/06
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/0875 determining specific fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A sensor plug positionable in a perforation extending into a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The sensor plug includes a plug sleeve disposable in a perforation extending through the wellbore wall, a pin positionable in the plug sleeve a sensor and circuitry. The pin is adapted to expand the plug sleeve as it is advanced therein whereby the plug sleeve seals the perforation. The sensor plug may be deployed into the sidewall of the wellbore by a downhole tool.

Claims

1. A sensor plug positionable in a perforation extending into a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:

a plug sleeve disposable in a perforation extending through the wellbore wall;

a pin positionable in the plug sleeve, the pin adapted to expand the plug sleeve as it is advanced therein whereby the plug sleeve seals the perforation, wherein at least one of the plug sleeve and the pin have ports therein for passing fluid therethrough;

a sensor for measuring downhole properties; and

circuitry operatively connected to the sensor.

2. The sensor plug of claim 1, wherein the plug sleeve has a cavity therein for receiving the pin.

3. The sensor plug of claim 1, wherein the plug sleeve has an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the pin.

4. The sensor plug of claim 1 wherein the sensor and circuitry are positioned in the plug sleeve.

5. The sensor plug of claim 1 wherein the sensor and circuitry are positioned in the pin.

6. The sensor plug of claim 1, wherein the plug sleeve has a chamber therein, and the pin has a needle at an end Thereof adapted to breach the chamber when the pin is advanced into the sleeve.

7. The sensor plug of claim 6 wherein the chamber has a gas therein.

8. The sensor plug of claim 1 further comprising a pin sleeve positioned between the pin and the plug sleeve for forming a seal therebetween.

9. The sensor plug of claim 1, wherein the plug sleeve has a flange at an end thereof to terminate the advancement of the plug sleeve through the perforation.

10. The sensor plug of claim 1 further comprising a bellows operatively connected to at least one of the sensor and circuitry for isolation thereof from contact with a downhole fluid while permitting a pressure of the downhole fluid to be applied thereto.

11. The sensor plug of claim 1, further comprising an antenna for sending and receiving signals.

12. The sensor plug of claim 11, wherein the antenna is positioned in the pin.

13. The sensor plug of claim 11, further comprising at least one conductor for operatively connecting the antenna with the sensor.

14. The sensor plug of claim 11, further comprising at least one electrical connection for operatively connedting the at least one conductor to one of the antenna, the sensor, the circuitry and combinations thereof.

15. The sensor plug of claim 11, further comprising a feedthrough positioned in one of the pin and the plug sleeve for fluidly isolating the sensor and the circuitry from downhole fluids.

16. A method of sensing downhole parameters of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:

positioning a plug sleeve in a perforation in a sidewall of the wellbore;

sealing the perforation by advancing a pin into the plug sleeve;

providing fluid communication into an interior of the plug sleeve; and

sensing at least one downhole parameter from a sensor positioned in one of the sleeve and the pin.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising creating a perforation in a sidewall of the wellbore.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising performing a pretest.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of performing a pretest comprises breaching a chamber in the plug sleeve by advancing a needle operatively connected to the pin and sensing the downhole parameters.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising tuning a gas in the chamber to the formation.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising tuning the pretest to a depth of the perforation.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of sensing comprising measuring a downhole pressure of a fluid adjacent the sensor.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising analyzing the at least one downhole parameter.

24. A communication system for sensing downhole parameters of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:

a sensor plug positionable in a perforation extending into the wall of the wellbore, comprising;

a plug sleeve disposable in a perforation extending through the wellbore wall;

a pin positionable in the plug sleeve, the pin adapted to expand the plug sleeve as it is advanced therein whereby the plug sleeve seals the perforation;

a port disposed in at least one of the plug sleeve and the pin for passing fluid therethrough;

a sensor for measuring downhole properties; and

circuitry operatively connected to the sensor,

a downhole tool positionable in the wellbore, the downhole tool adapted to communicate with the sensor plug; and

a surface unit in communication with the downhole tool.

25. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the downhole tool comprises a perforator for creating the perforation.

26. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the downhole tool is one of a wireline tool, drilling toot, coiled tubing tool and combinations thereof.