Wireless communication system and method

• US 7,301,474 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Q
• Application Number:
  US10/086,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,098 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.7, 340/854.6, 340/850, 340/851, 340/853.8, 340/853.9, 166/66, 166/373, 166/53, 166/337, 166/336, 367/82, 731/525.4
• US Class Current: 340/854.6
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B

Abstract

A wireless communication system for use in well, subsea, and oilfield-related environments employs one or more wireless network devices that offer short-range wireless communication between devices without the need for a central network which may have a device using a BLUETOOTH protocol. The system may be used for telemetry, depth correlation, guidance systems, actuating tools, among other uses. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a tool having a first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well;

at least a second wireless network device in the well located at a predetermined position therein;

a depth correlation circuitry in the tool in communication with the first wireless network device in the tool to detect a signal from the first wireless network device for determining the depth of the tool in the well, the signal from the first wireless network device based on wireless communication between the first and second wireless network devices; and

a third wireless network device in the well;

wherein the signal is based on triangulation among the first, second, and third wireless network devices.

2. A subsea telemetry system, comprising:

a wireless network device positioned proximal the sea floor;

a subsea vehicle having a wireless network device therein that is adapted to communicate with the wireless network device positioned proximal the sea floor; and

a guidance circuitry of the subsea vehicle in communication with the wireless network device of the subsea vehicle, the guidance circuitry adapted to determine the relative position of the subsea vehicle based upon input from the interconnected wireless network device.

3. A system for use in a well, comprising:

a tool containing a first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during a downhole operation;

a second wireless network device for location in the well,

wherein the first wireless network device is outside a wireless communication range of the second wireless network device until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless network device,

the second wireless network device to transmit a location code to the first wireless network device.

4. A system for use in a well, comprising:

a tool containing a first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during a downhole operation;

a second wireless network device for location in the well,

wherein the first wireless network device is outside a wireless communication range of the second wireless network device until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless network device; and

at least another wireless network device for location in the well, the first wireless network device to perform triangulation of signals to determine relative position of the tool to the second wireless network device and the at least another wireless network device.

5. A system for use in a well, comprising:

a tool containing a first wireless network device, the tool movable in the well during a downhole operation;

a second wireless network device for location in the well,

wherein the first wireless network device is outside a wireless communication range of the second wireless network device until the tool is moved into proximity of the second wireless network device,

the second wireless network device to send an actuating signal to the first wireless network device for actuating the tool once the tool comes within range of the second wireless network device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a perforating gun, and the actuating signal comprises a firing signal to fire the perforating gun.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a valve actuated by the actuating signal.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a release mechanism that releases sensors from the tool in response to the actuation signal.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a sampler to take a sample in response to the actuating signal.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool comprises a recorder that starts recording in response to the actuating signal.

11. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool includes a depth correlation device to correlate a position of the tool based on wireless communication between the first and second wireless network devices.