Wireless communication system and method

• US 8,237,585 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2007
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• 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): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/874,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20080042869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.6, 340/853.8, 340/853.9, 340/850, 340/851
• 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.

Claims

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

a plurality of wireless network devices in the well, the plurality of wireless network devices to communicate wirelessly using a Bluetooth wireless communication protocol, wherein at least two of the plurality of wireless network devices in the well are configured to communicate with one another using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interlink wireless network device positioned proximal the surface of the well; and

a communication line interconnecting the interlink wireless network device to a surface controller.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a downhole device; and

at least one of the wireless network devices communicating with the downhole device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the downhole device is selected from a gauge, sensor, valve, sampling device, device used in an intelligent well completion, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, flow-control device, flow rate measurement device, oil/water/gas ratio measurement device, scale detector, actuator, lock, release mechanism, equipment sensor, vibration sensor, sand detection sensor, water detection sensor, data recorder, viscosity sensor, density sensor, bubble point sensor, composition sensor, resistivity array sensor, acoustic sensor, telemetry device, infrared sensor, gamma ray detector, H₂S detector, CO₂ detector, downhole memory unit, downhole controller, perforating device, shape charge, firing head, and locator.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source; and

at least one of the wireless network devices in communication with the power source.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the power source is selected from a battery, a fuel cell, a downhole power generator, and a communication line extending to a surface of the well.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of the wireless network devices positioned in a lateral branch of a multilateral well.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a first of the wireless network devices is positioned in a lateral branch of a multilateral well;

a second of the wireless network devices is positioned outside the lateral branch in another portion of the well; and

the first wireless network device and second wireless network device are positioned within range of one another to allow the first and second wireless network devices to communicate with one other using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless network device in a wellhead of the well to communicate wirelessly with at least one of the wireless network devices in the well using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a wireless network device outside the well adapted to communicate wirelessly with the wireless network device in the wellhead.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary communication system in communication with the at least one of the wireless network devices, wherein the secondary communication system is selected from a communication line, a fiber optic line, an Internet, a satellite, a telephone system, and an intranet.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a first one of the wireless network devices is positioned outside a casing in the well;

a second one of the wireless network devices is positioned inside the casing of the well;

the first wireless network device and the second wireless network device are adapted to communicate wirelessly with one another using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a running tool positionable in the well, the running tool carrying the second wireless network device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a first of the wireless network devices is positioned outside a tubing in the wellbore;

a second of the wireless network devices is positioned inside the tubing of the wellbore;

the first wireless network device and the second wireless network device are adapted to communicate wirelessly with one another using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

at least a portion of the tubing extends through a casing in the wellbore;

a third of the wireless network devices positioned inside the casing of the wellbore;

the first wireless network device, the second wireless network device, and the third wireless network device are adapted to communicate wirelessly with one another using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

16. A method for use in a well, comprising:

providing a plurality of wireless network devices in the well; and

the plurality of wireless network devices communicating wirelessly using a Bluetooth wireless communication protocol, wherein at least two of the plurality of wireless network devices in the well are configured to communicate with one another using the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

telemetering data in a multilateral well using the wireless network devices.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

telemetering data through a casing using at least one of the wireless network devices.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

telemetering data through a tubing using at least one of the wireless network devices.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining the depth of a tool in the well using at least one of the wireless network devices.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

telemetering data from the well to a position outside the well using at least one of the wireless network devices.