Apparatuses for interaction with a subterranean formation, and methods of use thereof

• US 7,311,011 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance LLC (Battelle Memorial Institute)
• Original Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance LLC (Battelle Memorial Institute)
• Inventors: Turner, Terry D., Clark, Don T., Hubbell, Joel M., Jones, Richard L., Sisson, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FITZGERALD, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US10/995,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 738/647.4, 738/665, 403/348
• US Class Current: 73/864.74
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/06 Sampling of ground water
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/002 by visual inspection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/00 Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/088 combined with sampling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/24 Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses percussion drilling E21B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 13/02 Investigating surface tension of liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 19/10 Measuring moisture content, e.g. by measuring change in length of hygroscopic filament; Hygrometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/40 Investigating hardness or rebound hardness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1826 organic contamination in water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/246 for water content for control of watering A01G25/167

Abstract

An access casing assembly structured for placement at least partially within a subterranean formation by forcing the access casing assembly thereinto, comprising a plurality of casing sections operably coupled to form a central elongated cavity for providing access to the subterranean region is disclosed. Further, a tip portion of the access casing assembly may include a porous filter through which liquid or gas may communicate with the central elongated cavity. Also, a receiving member or at least one engagement hub may form a portion of the central elongated cavity and may include an engagement feature configured for selectively and lockingly engaging a locking structure of a device to be positioned within the access casing assembly. Methods of use are disclosed. A tensiometer is disclosed including a chamber structured for allowing at least partially filling with a fluid subsequent to contact therewith.

Claims

1. An access casing assembly for providing access to a subterranean formation, comprising:

a casing portion comprising a plurality of casing sections operably coupled to form a central elongated cavity;

a tip portion affixed to an end of the casing portion and including a porous filter through which liquid or gas may communicate with the central elongated cavity;

a receiving member positioned proximate the tip portion forming a portion of the central elongated cavity, wherein the receiving member includes an engagement feature configured for selectively and lockingly engaging a locking structure of a device to be positioned at a sampling position within the access casing assembly;

wherein the access casing assembly is structured for placement at least partially within a subterranean formation by forcing the access casing assembly thereinto; and

wherein the access casing assembly is configured for receiving the device in the sampling position within the access casing assembly after the access casing assembly is placed at least partially within the subterranean formation.

2. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature is configured for selectively and lockingly engaging the locking structure in an alignment which deviates from a preferred alignment.

3. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is structured for sealingly accepting the locking structure of the device.

4. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of the plurality of casing sections is substantially transparent.

5. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of casing sections each have a first end and a second end, the first end of one casing section being configured for selectively coupling with the second end of another casing section forming a casing joint and wherein the casing joint includes a sealing feature for inhibiting pneumatic or hydraulic communication therethrough.

6. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous filter comprises at least one of a sintered metal filter, a charcoal filter, a mesh filter, and a membrane filter.

7. The access casing assembly of claim 6, wherein the porous filter exhibits nominal pore openings of between about 0.1 micron and about 10 micron.

8. The access casing assembly of claim 6, wherein the porous filter comprises a sintered stainless steel filter.

9. The access casing assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least one sealing element is positioned between the porous filter and the body of the tip portion.

10. The access casing assembly of claim 8, wherein the porous filter is affixed to the body of the tip portion by way of at least one of welding, a threaded surface, soldering, and brazing.

11. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature of the receiving member comprises at least one of a threaded surface and a groove-shaped engagement feature.

12. The access casing assembly of claim 11, wherein the engagement feature of the receiving member comprises a bayonet-type connection structure.

13. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiving member includes a tapered surface for engaging a correspondingly tapered surface of the device.

14. The access casing assembly of claim 13, wherein the receiving member is structured for sealingly engaging the device along a portion of the correspondingly tapered surface thereof.

15. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a lysimeter, a tensiometer, vapor sampling device, an advective vapor sampling device, a geophone, a vibration source, and a psychrometer.

16. The access casing assembly of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a lysimeter including:

a reservoir portion;

a bottom plug having the locking structure for selectively and lockingly engaging the engagement feature of the receiving member; and

a flow tube extending from the bottom plug and a check valve operably installed to the flow tube and configured for allowing fluid flow therethrough, toward the bottom plug.

17. The access casing assembly of claim 15, wherein the device further comprises:

a sealing plug having at least one sealing element wherein the sealing plug is configured for compressing the at least one sealing element and wherein the at least one sealing element is configured for sealing against a portion of the access casing assembly and a portion of the device positioned therein.

18. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein each casing section of the plurality of casing sections of the casing portion of the casing access assembly comprises at least one sealing feature structured for sealing against an adjacent, coupled casing section of the plurality of casing sections, respectively.

19. The access casing assembly of claim 18, wherein each casing section of the plurality of casing sections of the casing portion of the casing access assembly comprises a plurality of sealing features structured for sealing against an adjacent, coupled casing section of the plurality of casing sections, respectively.

20. The access casing assembly of claim 18, wherein each casing section of the plurality of casing sections of the casing portion of the casing access assembly comprises two sealing features structured for sealing with an adjacent casing section of the plurality of casing sections, respectively.

21. The access casing assembly of claim 19, wherein the plurality of sealing features comprises a plurality of O-rings.

22. The access casing assembly of claim 1, wherein the casing portion and the tip portion are sized and configured for placement into the subterranean formation by at least one of direct push, sonic drilling, and rotation.

23. The access casing assembly of claim 22, wherein the tip portion includes at least one of recesses and protrusions for facilitating placement of the access casing assembly into the subterranean formation by at least one of direct push, sonic drilling, and rotation.

24. The access casing assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one engagement hub including an engagement feature for selectively and lockingly engaging at least another locking structure of the device to be positioned within the access casing assembly.

25. The access casing assembly of claim 24, wherein the at least one engagement hub comprises a plurality of engagement hubs, spaced along the longitudinal length of the casing portion of the access casing assembly.

26. An access casing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a drive shoe affixed to the casing portion and structured for coupling with a drive apparatus for forcing the access casing assembly at least partially into the subterranean formation.

27. The access casing assembly of claim 26, wherein the drive shoe further comprises:

a liquid port configured for introducing or removing a liquid into or from the central elongated cavity;

a gas port configured for introducing or removing a gas into or from the central elongated cavity, respectively; and

an abandonment port for introducing solid material or mixtures including solid material into or from the central elongated cavity.

28. The access casing assembly of claim 26, wherein the drive shoe includes a substantially cubical engagement end for coupling with a drive apparatus for placing the access casing assembly within the subterranean formation.

29. The access casing assembly of claim 26, wherein the access casing assembly is structured for allowing gas or liquid communication with the central elongated cavity substantially solely via the porous filter.

30. A method of interacting with a subterranean formation, comprising:

providing an access casing assembly including;

a casing portion comprising a plurality of casing sections operably coupled to form a central elongated cavity;

a tip portion assembled to an end of the casing portion, the tip portion including a porous filter; and

a receiving member positioned proximate the tip portion, wherein the receiving member includes an engagement feature configured for selectively and lockingly engaging a locking structure of a device positioned within the access casing assembly;

placing the access casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation;

placing the device within the access casing assembly after placing the access casing assembly at least partially into the subterranean formation and selectively engaging the device and the receiving member; and

interacting with the subterranean formation by operating the device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the device within the casing assembly and selectively engaging the device with the receiving member comprises selectively engaging at least one of a lysimeter, a tensiometer, a vapor sampling device, an advective vapor sampling device, a geophone, a vibration source, and a psychrometer with the receiving member.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the casing assembly at least partially into the subterranean formation comprises at least one of direct pushing, rotating, and sonic drilling.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein:

placing the device within the casing assembly and selectively engaging the device and the receiving member comprises placing a lysimeter within the casing assembly and selectively engaging the lysimeter and the receiving member; and

further comprising providing vacuum pressure to a pressure tube of the lysimeter to pull a liquid through the porous filter from the subterranean formation and into a reservoir portion thereof; and

providing a positive pressure within the reservoir portion to propel the liquid to a surface of the subterranean formation.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the access casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation comprises causing the access casing assembly to exhibit curvature within at least one region thereof.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation comprises introducing a fluid into the central elongated cavity of the casing portion in contact with the porous filter.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising pressure testing the central elongated cavity to substantiate that fluid or gas communication with the subterranean formation occurs substantially solely via the porous filter.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

disposing a tensiometer within the casing assembly, the tensiometer having a chamber;

filling the chamber with the fluid within the central elongated cavity of the casing portion in contact with the porous filter;

measuring the pressure within the chamber over a period of time.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein filling the chamber with the fluid within the central cavity of the casing portion in contact with the porous filter comprises flowing the fluid through a valve element.

39. A method of interacting with a subterranean formation, comprising:

providing a casing assembly including;

a casing assembly having a casing portion comprising a plurality of casing sections operably coupled to form a central elongated cavity;

a tip portion assembled to an end of the casing portion, the tip portion including a porous filter;

a receiving member positioned proximate the tip portion, wherein the receiving member includes an engagement feature configured for lockingly engaging a locking structure associated with at least one device to be positioned within the casing assembly; and

at least one engagement hub forming a portion of the central elongated cavity and including another engagement feature configured for lockingly engaging another locking structure associated with the at least one device to be positioned within the casing assembly;

placing the casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation;

placing the at least one device within the casing assembly after placing the casing assembly at least partially into the subterranean formation;

positioning a sensor of the at least one device within the central elongated cavity of the casing assembly between the receiving member and the at least one engagement hub; and

interacting with the subterranean formation by operating the at least one device.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising engaging the engagement feature of the receiving member with the locking structure associated with the at least one device and engaging the another engagement feature of the at least one engagement hub with the another locking structure associated with the at least one device.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising engaging the another engagement feature of each of a plurality of engagement hubs of the casing assembly with corresponding locking structures of a plurality of locking structures associated with the at least one device.

42. The method claim 39, further comprising:

providing a plurality of engagement hubs;

placing a plurality of devices within the casing assembly; and

engaging each of the plurality of devices with a respective engagement feature of the plurality of engagement hubs of the casing assembly.

43. The method claim 42, further comprising operating the plurality of devices substantially simultaneously.

44. A method of sensing at least one characteristic of a subterranean formation, comprising:

placing an access casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation;

placing at least one sensor device within the access casing assembly after placing the access casing assembly at least partially into the subterranean formation;

engaging at least one engagement feature of the access casing assembly with at least one locking structure associated with the at least one sensor device;

establishing fluid communication between the at least one sensor device and the subterranean formation through a porous filter in the access casing assembly; and

sensing at least one characteristic of the subterranean formation using the at least one sensor device.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

removing the at least one sensor device from the access casing assembly after sensing the at least one characteristic of the subterranean formation and while the access casing assembly remains positioned at least partially within the subterranean formation;

placing at least one additional sensor device within the access casing assembly while the access casing assembly remains positioned at least partially within the subterranean formation; and

sensing at least one additional characteristic of the subterranean formation using the at least one additional sensor device.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein placing at least one sensor device within the access casing assembly comprises placing at least one of a lysimeter, a tensiometer, a vapor sampling device, an advective vapor sampling device, a geophone, a vibration source, and a psychrometer with the access casing assembly.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein placing an access casing assembly at least partially into a subterranean formation comprises at least one of direct pushing and sonic drilling.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising forming an exterior surface of the access casing assembly to be substantially smooth.

49. The method of claim 44, further establishing fluid communication between the at least one sensor device and the subterranean formation comprises establishing fluid communication between the at least one sensor device and the subterranean formation through a valve.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising selectively actuating the valve.