Downhole sensing system using carbon nanotube FET

• US 8,297,351 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2008
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Yamate, Tsutomu, Ullo, John, Matsumoto, Kazuhiko, Yoshiuchi, Hidetoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US12/332,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20120118558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 166/250.01, 166/66, 731/525.1, 257/24, 257/414
• US Class Current: 166/250.01
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4146 involving nanosized elements, e.g. nanotubes, nanowires
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/46 Field-effect transistors, e.g. organic thin-film transistors [OTFT] H10K10/43 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/491 Vertical transistors, e.g. vertical carbon nanotube field effect transistors [CNT-FETs]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 Carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Subterranean sensing devices configured or designed for downhole use to sense a local condition in the well. The sensing devices comprise one or more transistor having at least one carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole.

Claims

1. A subterranean tool downhole in a well traversing a formation, comprising:

a sensing device configured or designed for downhole use to sense a local condition in the well, wherein

the sensing device comprises one or more transistor, wherein

the one or more transistor comprises at least one carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole; and

the sensing device further comprises at least one optical device, wherein

the optical device comprises the at least one CNT FET configured or designed to function as a photo-sensitive detector downhole, within a borehole.

2. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET is configured or designed for sensing physical and/or chemical characteristics downhole, within a borehole.

3. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET comprises a side-gate FET.

4. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET comprises a top-gate FET.

5. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET comprises a back-gate FET.

6. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET comprises a co-axial gate FET.

7. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET is configured or designed for use at downhole temperatures in excess of about 115 degrees Celsius.

8. A subterranean tool according to claim 7, wherein

the at least one CNT FET is configured or designed for use at downhole temperatures of about 200 degrees Celsius.

9. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one CNT FET is modified to function as a chemical probe.

10. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, further comprising:

a chemical probe, the chemical probe being fixed to the at least one CNT FET.

11. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the subterranean tool comprises one or more optical communications module including the at least one optical device.

12. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the subterranean tool comprises one or more downhole fluid analysis module including the at least one optical device.

13. A subterranean tool according to claim 1, wherein

the sensing device comprises a chemical sensor.

14. A subterranean tool according to claim 13, wherein

the chemical sensor comprises a gas detector.

15. A downhole chemical sensing system, comprising:

a surface data acquisition unit comprising a surface telemetry unit;

a downhole telemetry cartridge;

a communications interface between the surface data acquisition unit and the downhole telemetry cartridge;

a downhole tool; and

a downhole electrical tool bus operatively connected between the downhole telemetry cartridge and the downhole tool, wherein

the downhole tool comprises;

a chemical sensing device configured or designed for downhole use to sense a local condition in a well, wherein

the chemical sensing device comprises one or more carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole, to sense chemical characteristics.

16. A downhole chemical sensing system according to claim 15, wherein

at least one CNT FET is modified to function as a chemical probe.

17. A downhole chemical sensing system according to claim 15, wherein

the chemical sensing device comprises a chemical probe, the chemical probe being fixed to at least one CNT FET.

18. A downhole chemical sensing system according to claim 15, wherein

the chemical sensing device comprises a gas detector.

19. A fluid analysis system configured to operate downhole at elevated temperatures in excess of about 115 degrees Celsius in a well traversing a formation, comprising:

at least one optical sensor to measure signals of interest and determine properties of formation fluids downhole, within a borehole, wherein

the at least one optical sensor comprises one or more carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole, as a photo-sensitive detector, the CNT FET being configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole, at temperatures in excess of about 115 degrees Celsius.