Permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors

• US 7,665,543 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2007
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Hosie, David G., Grayson, Michael Brian, Bansal, Ram K., Bostick, Francis X. III
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, KENNETH L
• Application Number:
  US11/751,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221407A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 175/50, 175/40, 175/45, 175/48, 340/856.1, 340/856.4, 367/82, 367/99, 367/103, 166/50, 166/40, 166/45, 166/48, 166/61, 166/62
• US Class Current: 175/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/08 Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure valve arrangements therefor E21B21/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/085 Underbalanced techniques, i.e. where borehole fluid pressure is below formation pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/101 with means for equalizing fluid pressure above and below the valve
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/114 using light radiation
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/14 using acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/40 specially adapted for well-logging

Abstract

The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.

Claims

1. A method of permanently monitoring wellbore or formation parameters, comprising:

providing a casing string having at least one optical sensor attached thereto;

locating the casing string within a wellbore;

measuring one or more wellbore or formation parameters with the at least one optical sensor while drilling;

geosteering a tubular body used for the drilling using measurements obtained by the measuring while drilling wherein the at least one optical sensor comprises at least one optical seismic sensor; and

imaging ahead of the tubular body while drilling using a seismic source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is a microseismic source for microseismic imaging ahead of the tubular body.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the seismic source is external.