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Apparatus and method for detecting fracture geometry using acoustic telemetry

  • US 9,557,434 B2
  • Filed: 12/18/2013
  • Issued: 01/31/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An electro-acoustic telemetry system for evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation, comprising:

  • a casing string disposed in a wellbore, the casing string being comprised of pipe joints connected end-to-end;

    at least two sensors disposed along the wellbore and configured to detect elastic waves within the subsurface formation;

    a series of communications nodes placed along the wellbore, the communications nodes being configured to relay acoustic signals indicative of elastic waves caused by movement of rock within the subsurface formation as detected by the sensors;

    a receiver at the surface configured to receive signals from an uppermost of the communications nodes;

    wherein each of the communications nodes comprises;

    a sealed housing;

    an electro-acoustic transducer and associated transceiver also residing within the housing designed to relay acoustic signals from node-to-node up the wellbore and to the receiver during a wellbore operation; and

    an independent power source residing within the housing providing power to the transceiver.

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