System and method for measurements of depth and velocity of instrumentation within a wellbore

• US 7,350,410 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrodata Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gyrodata Incorporated
• Inventors: Greensmith, Martyn Ian, Ekseth, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): BELLAMY, TAMIKO D
• Application Number:
  US11/134,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20050217365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 731/524.6, 7315248-15249, 731/525.4, 731/525.9, 734/88, 731/524.5, 166/250.01
• US Class Current: 73/152.45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/022 of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/04 Measuring depth or liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 7/00 Measuring speed by integrating acceleration measuring travelled distance by double integration of acceleration G01C21/16

Abstract

A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal and to calculate a depth, a velocity, or both a depth and a velocity of the downhole portion in response to the first signal and the second signal.

Claims

1. A survey tool for use in a wellbore, the survey tool comprising:

a downhole portion moving within the wellbore in a direction generally parallel to the wellbore;

a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion, the first acceleration sensor generating a first signal indicative of a first acceleration in a first direction generally parallel to the wellbore at the first position;

a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion, the second acceleration sensor generating a second signal indicative of a second acceleration in a second direction generally parallel to the wellbore at the second position; and

a controller calculating a depth, a velocity, or both a depth and a velocity of the downhole portion in response to the first signal and the second signal.

2. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the first direction can vary by a non-zero angle relative to the second direction.

3. The survey tool of claim 2, wherein the first signal and the second signal are generated simultaneously.

4. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the downhole portion comprises a housing.

5. The survey tool of claim 4, wherein the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor are positioned within the housing.

6. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the first position is separated from the second position by a distance larger than approximately 10 meters.

7. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the first position is separated from the second position by a distance in a range between approximately 10 meters and approximately 30 meters.

8. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor are substantially identical.

9. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the downhole portion further comprises at least one supplementary sensor, the supplementary sensor detecting a landmark location within the wellbore.

10. The survey tool of claim 9, wherein at least one supplementary sensor comprises a gamma-ray sensor which detects gamma rays from geological formations in proximity to the downhole portion.

11. The survey tool of claim 9, wherein the wellbore comprises pipe casing sections joined by casing collars, and wherein at least one supplementary sensor comprises a magnetic sensor which detects casing collars in proximity to the downhole portion.

12. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the controller provides real-time processing analysis of the first signal and the second signal.

13. The survey tool of claim 1, wherein the controller provides post-processing analysis of the first signal and the second signal.

14. A drilling assembly comprising the survey tool of claim 1.

15. A logging assembly comprising the survey tool of claim 1.

16. A method for determining a depth or a velocity, or both a depth and a velocity, of a downhole portion of a survey tool moving within a wellbore, the method comprising:

providing the survey tool of claim 1;

receiving the first signal and the second signal while the downhole portion is at a first location within the wellbore;

receiving the first signal and the second signal while the downhole portion is at a second location within the wellbore; and

calculating a depth, or a velocity, or both a depth and a velocity, of the downhole portion of the survey tool in response to the first signal and the second signal received while the downhole portion is at the first location and in response to the first signal and the second signal received while the downhole portion is at the second location.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the downhole portion is stationary while at the first location.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the downhole portion is moving while at the first location.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the downhole portion is stationary while at the second location.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the downhole portion is moving while at the second location.