Systems and methods for implementing different modes of communication on a communication line between surface and downhole equipment

• US 9,217,326 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Coulston, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US13/198,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20130033383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.9, 3408531-8545
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling communication using two different alternative protocols on a single communication line between remote tools and control equipment used in well operations. In one embodiment, a system includes control equipment, remote tools and a communication line coupled between the control equipment and the remote tools. Each remote tool detects mode control signals on the communication line and operates alternately in either a first mode or a second mode in response to detecting corresponding mode control signals. The first mode enables two-way communication of data on the communication line according to a first communications protocol. The second mode enables one-way communication of data on the communication line from the remote equipment to the control equipment according to a second protocol. The second protocol is different from the first protocol, and may be incompatible with the first protocol.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

control equipment;

one or more remote tools; and

a communication line coupled between the control equipment and the remote tools;

wherein the system is implemented in a well, wherein the control equipment comprises surface equipment positioned at the surface of the well, and wherein the one or more remote tools comprise downhole tools positioned in a wellbore of the well;

wherein each of the remote tools includes a signal detector configured to detect mode control signals on the communication line;

wherein each of the one or more remote tools is configured to alternately operate in either a first mode or a second mode in response to detecting corresponding mode control signals;

wherein the first mode enables two-way communication of data and control information on the communication line between the remote tools and the control equipment according to a first communications protocol;

wherein the second mode enables one-way communication of data on the communication line from the remote tools to the control equipment according to a second protocol which is different from the first protocol; and

wherein in response to detecting a bipolar mode control signal, each of the one or more remote tools is configured to operate in the first mode, and wherein in response to detecting a unipolar mode control signal, each of the one or more remote tools is configured to operate in the second mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second protocol is incompatible with simultaneous use of the first protocol.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein when each of the one or more remote tools operates in the first mode, the remote tool acknowledges received information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the unipolar mode control signal comprises a voltage pulse.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more remote tools is configured to receive the mode control signal via a dedicated communication line, wherein the communication line has two conductors, wherein the remote tools are configured to detect the unipolar mode control signal in which each of the two conductors carry one or more identical sync pulses and the bipolar mode control signal in which the two conductors carry one or more sync pulses of opposite polarities.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more remote tools is configured to identify a target address contained in the mode control signal and to determine whether the target address is associated with the remote tool.

7. A method implemented in a system having a control transceiver coupled by a communications cable to one or more remote tools, the method comprising:

transmitting a first mode control signal from the control transceiver positioned at the surface of the well to the one or more remote tools positioned in a wellbore of the well, wherein the first mode control signal comprises a bipolar mode control signal;

initiating a first communication mode in response to the first mode control signal, wherein the first communication mode employs a first communication protocol;

transmitting a second mode control signal from the control transceiver to the one or more remote tools, wherein the second mode control signal comprises a unipolar mode control signal;

initiating a second communication mode in response to the second mode control signal, wherein the second communication mode employs a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second protocol is incompatible with simultaneous use of the first protocol.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in response to initiating the first mode, acknowledging received communications.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising, when operating in the first communication mode, identifying in one or more communications a target device to which the communications are directed.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a remote tool; and

a signal detector configured to detect mode control signals;

wherein the remote tool comprises a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore of a well;

wherein the downhole tool is configured to receive the mode control signals via a communication line be coupled to surface equipment positioned at the surface of the well;

wherein the remote tool is configured to operate alternately in one of two different modes in response to detecting one of the mode control signals;

wherein in a first mode the remote tool is configured to enable two-way communication of information between the remote tool and the external equipment according to a first communications protocol;

wherein in a second mode the remote tool is configured to enable one-way communication of data from the remote tool to external equipment according to a second protocol which is different from the first protocol; and

wherein in response to the signal detector detecting a bipolar mode control signal, the remote tool is configured to operate in the first mode, and wherein in response to the signal detector detecting a unipolar mode control signal, the remote tool is configured to operate in the second mode.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second protocol is incompatible with simultaneous use of the first protocol.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when the remote tool operates in the first mode, the remote tool acknowledges received information.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the unipolar mode control signal comprises a voltage pulse.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the signal detector is configured to receive the mode control signal via a dedicated communication line, wherein the communication line has two conductors, wherein the signal detector is configured to detect the unipolar mode control signal in which each of the two conductors carries an identical sync pulse and the bipolar mode control signal in which the two conductors carry sync pulses of opposite polarities.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the remote tool is configured to identify a target address contained in the mode control signal and to determine whether the target address is associated with the remote tool.