METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS AND FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTION IN WELLS

• US 20100219980A1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Inventors: Snider, Philip M., Zierolf, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,044,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.600
• 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 method comprising:

selecting a velocity at which a process tool and a reader device in signal communication with the process tool will be transported through a subterranean well having a plurality of radio frequency identification devices;

determining one of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices to be used to make the reader device transmit control signals to actuate the process tool;

programming the reader device to transmit control signals to the process tool upon receiving a signal from said one of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices; and

transporting said process tool and said reader device through the well at said velocity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said process tool and said reader device are transported through the well by a wire line.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the wire line is a slick line, an electric line, a braided line, or coil tubing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said process tool and said reader device are transported through the well by a pump.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said process tool and said reader device are transported through the well by a robotic device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said process tool and said reader device are transported through the well by gravity.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

spacing the reader device a predetermined distance from said process tool.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the process tool is a perforating tool.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said velocity, a time period to transmit transmission signals to and receive response signals from any of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices, a second time period to transmit control signals to the perforating tool and a third certain time period before detonation and explosion of the perforating tool are considered in said step of determining said one of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency identification devices are active radio frequency identification devices.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency identification devices are passive radio frequency identification devices.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices is configured to provide a response signal based upon said unique identifying information.

13. A system comprising:

a process tool configured for transport through a subterranean well;

a plurality of radio frequency identification devices located at spaced intervals at known depths in the well and configured to transmit response signals for uniquely identifying each radio frequency identification device;

a reader device configured for transport through the subterranean well, for receiving the response signals from the radio frequency identification devices, and for controlling the process tool responsive to the response signals; and

a device for connecting said process tool to said reader device at a predetermined distance from each other.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a transport mechanism configured to move the process tool and the reader device through the well.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the reader device comprises a receiver for receiving the response signals and a transmitter for transmitting transmission signals to each of said plurality of radio frequency identification devices.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the process tool comprises a perforating tool, the control signal controls a perforating process, and the predetermined distance is selected in order to provide proper timing for a detonating sequence.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said perforating tool is above the reader device.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the process tool comprises a packer setting tool and the control signal controls setting of a packer element.

19. The system of claim 13 further comprising a computer in signal communication with the reader device comprising a visual display generated using signals from the reader device.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein said radio frequency identification devices are passive radio frequency identification devices.