Method and system for performing operations and for improving production in wells

• US 7,714,741 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2008
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Inventors: Snider, Philip M., Zierolf, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US12/173,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20080271887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.1, 340/573.4, 340/854.8, 340/825.72, 340/539.1, 235/375, 235/435, 166/254.2, 166/255.1, 166/250.01, 342/42
• US Class Current: 340/854.8
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/001 Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/00 Survey of boreholes or wells monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/092 by detecting magnetic anomalies
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A method for performing operations and for improving production in a well includes the steps of: providing radio identification devices at known locations in the well, and providing a reader device configured to read the identification devices, and to control the operations responsive to signals from the identification devices. The method also includes the steps of providing a process tool, and transporting the process tool and the reader device through the well. The reader device is programmed to control the process tool upon reception of a response signal from a selected identification device. The method can be used to perform perforating processes, packer setting processes, bridge plug setting processes, logging processes, inspection processes, chemical treating processes, and cleaning processes. In addition, the method can be performed dynamically by controlling the tool as it moves through the well, or statically by stopping the tool at a particular location within the well. A system for performing the method includes the identification devices, the reader device, the process tool, and a computer or controller. In addition the identification devices can be placed in casing collars of the well and can be configured as passive devices or as active devices.

Claims

1. A well comprising:

a pipe positioned within a well bore and having a plurality of sections; and

at least one radio frequency identification device installed within said pipe, each of said at least one radio frequency device encoded with unique identifying information comprising a depth designation within the well bore and configured to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted from within said pipe.

2. The well of claim 1 wherein said pipe is casing.

3. The well of claim 2 wherein said casing is secured in said well bore by cement.

4. The well of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sections comprises a plurality of tubular elements.

5. The well of claim 2 wherein a plurality of radio frequency identification devices are installed within said casing.

6. The well of claim 5 wherein said plurality of radio frequency identification devices are located at spaced apart intervals along the length of said casing.

7. The well of claim 6 wherein said plurality of sections comprises a plurality of tubular elements.

8. The well of claim 1 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is an active radio frequency identification device.

9. The well of claim 1 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is a passive radio frequency identification device.

10. The well of claim 1 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device has an antenna.

11. The well of claim 1 wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification device is configured to provide a response signal based upon said unique identifying information.

21. The well of claim 1 wherein said depth designation is ascertained using well logs.

12. A method of assembling casing for use in a well comprising:

installing at least one radio frequency identification device within casing having a plurality of sections, each of said at least one radio frequency identification device remaining within said casing as positioned in a well, encoded with unique identifying information comprising a depth designation within the well, and configured to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted from within said casing.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sections comprises a plurality of tubular elements.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of radio frequency identification devices are installed within said casing.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said plurality of radio frequency identification devices are located at spaced apart intervals along the length of said casing.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said plurality of sections comprises a plurality of tubular elements.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is an active radio frequency identification device.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is a passive radio frequency identification device.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein each of said at least one radio frequency identification device is configured to provide a response signal based upon said unique identifying information.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device has an antenna.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein said depth designation is ascertained using well logs.