CA2641431A1 - Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores - Google Patents

Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2641431A1
CA2641431A1 CA002641431A CA2641431A CA2641431A1 CA 2641431 A1 CA2641431 A1 CA 2641431A1 CA 002641431 A CA002641431 A CA 002641431A CA 2641431 A CA2641431 A CA 2641431A CA 2641431 A1 CA2641431 A1 CA 2641431A1
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Canada
Prior art keywords
flowable
wellbore
devices
discrete
iii
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Granted
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CA002641431A
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French (fr)
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CA2641431C (en
Inventor
Peter S. Aronstam
Per-Erik Berger
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Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
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Individual
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Publication of CA2641431A1 publication Critical patent/CA2641431A1/en
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Publication of CA2641431C publication Critical patent/CA2641431C/en
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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12Means 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
    • E21B47/138Devices entrained in the flow of well-bore fluid for transmitting data, control or actuation signals
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/01Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like

Abstract

A method of utilizing flowable devices in a wellbore, wherein a working fluid provides a fluid flow path for moving the flowable devices from a first location of introduction of the devices into the flow path to a second location of interest, comprising selecting at least one flowable device constituting a data carrier that is adapted to be moved in the wellbore at least in part by the working fluid, introducing the at least one flowable device into the fluid flow path at the first location to cause the working fluid to move the at least one flowable device to the second location of interest, and providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at least one flowable device.

Claims (40)

1. A method of utilizing flowable devices in a wellbore wherein a working fluid provides a fluid flow path for moving said flowable devices from a first location of introduction of said devices into the flow path to a second location of interest, said method comprising:

selecting at least one flowable device constituting a data carrier that is adapted to be moved in the wellbore at least in part by the working fluid;
introducing the at least one flowable device into the fluid flow path at the first location to cause the working fluid to move the at least one flowable device to the second location of interest; and providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at least one flowable device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting the at least one flowable device from a group consisting of:
(i) a device having a sensor for providing a measure of a parameter of interest;
(ii) a device having a memory for storing data therein; (iii) a device carrying energy that is transmittable to another device; (iv) a solid mass carrying a chemical that alters a state when said solid mass encounters a particular property in the wellbore; (v) a device carrying a biological mass; (vi) a data recording device; (vii) a device that is adapted to take a mechanical action; and (viii) a self-charging device due to interaction with the working fluid in the wellbore.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that provides a measure of a parameter of interest selected from a group consisting of: (i) pressure; (ii) temperature;
(iii) flow rate; (iv) vibration; (v) presence of a particular chemical in the wellbore;
(vi) viscosity; (vii) water saturation; (viii) composition of a material; (ix) corrosion; (x) velocity; (xi) a physical dimension; and (xi) deposition of a particular matter in a fluid.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that comprises:

a sensor for providing a measurement representative of a parameter of interest;

a memory for storing data relating at least in part to the parameter of interest;

a source of power for supplying power to a component of said flowable device; and a controller for determining data to be carried by said memory.
5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising providing a transmitter for the at least one flowable device for effecting data exchange with said data exchange device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein effecting the data exchange comprises communicating with said at least one flowable device by a method selected from a group consisting of: (i) electromagnetic radiation; (ii) optical signals;
and (iii) acoustic signals.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a flowable device that is adapted to carry data that is one of:
(i) prerecorded on the at least one flowable device; (ii) recorded on the at least one flowable device downhole; (iii) self recorded by the at least one flowable device; and (iv) inferred by a change of a state associated with the at least one flowable device.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable comprises selecting a device from a group of devices consisting of: (i) a device that is freely movable by the working fluid; (ii) a device that has variable buoyancy; (iii) a device that includes a propulsion mechanism that aids the at least one flowable device to flow within the working fluid; (iv) a device that is movable within by a superimposed field; and (v) a device whose movement in the working fluid is aided by the gravitational field.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that is one of: (i) resistant to wellbore temperatures;
(ii) resistant to chemicals; (iii) resistant to pressures in wellbores; (iv) vibration resistant; (v) impact resistant; (vi) resistant to electromagnetic radiation;
(vii) resistant to electrical noise; and (viii) resistant to nuclear fields.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said introducing the at least one flowable device into the working fluid further comprises delivering the at least one flowable device to the working fluid by one of: (i) an isolated flow path; (ii) a chemical injection line; (iii) a tubing in a wellbore; (iv) a hydraulic line reaching the second location of interest and returning to the surface; (v) through a drill string carrying drilling fluid; (vi) through an annulus between a drill string and the wellbore; (vii) through a tubing disposed outside a drill string; and (viii) in a container that is adapted to release said at least one flowable device in the wellbore.
11. The method of any one of claims 1 or 10 further comprising recovering said at least one flowable device.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein recovering the at least one flowable device comprises recovering the at least one flowable device by one of: (i) fluid to solid separation; and (ii) fluid to fluid separation.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said introducing the at least one flowable device includes introducing a plurality of flowable devices, each flowable device being adapted to perform at least one task.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said introducing a plurality of flowable devices comprises one of: (i) timed release; (ii) time independent release;
(iii) on demand release; and (iv) event initiated release.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing said at least one flowable device comprises delivering a plurality of flowable devices into fluid circulating in a wellbore to cause at least a number of the flowable devices to remain in the wellbore at any given time, thereby forming a network of the flowable devices in the wellbore.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the flowable devices in said plurality of devices are adapted to communicate information with other devices, thereby forming a communication network in the wellbore.
17. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a unique address to the at least one flowable device.
18. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a data exchange device in the wellbore for communicating with the at least one flowable device.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising causing the data communication to exchange data with the at least one flowable device and to transmit a signal confirming said data exchange.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting said at least one flowable device comprises selecting the at least one flowable device that includes a sensor that is one of: (i) mechanical; (ii) electrical; (iii) chemical; (iv) nuclear; and (v) biological.
21. The method of claim 1 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.
22. The method of claim 7 further comprising receiving the data carried by said at least one flowable device by a downhole device and transmitting a signal in response to said received signal to a device located outside said wellbore.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said device outside said wellbore is at a location that is one of: (i) in a lateral wellbore associated with said wellbore; (ii) a separate wellbore; (iii) at the surface; and (iv) in an injection well.
24. A method of utilizing discrete devices in a wellbore wherein a working fluid provides a fluid flow path for moving said discrete devices from a first location of introduction of said devices into the flow path to a second location of interest, said method comprising:

(a) introducing a plurality of flowable discrete devices comprising data carriers that are adapted to be moved in the wellbore at least in part by the working fluid and forming a network of flowable devices in the wellbore;

(b) introducing at least one flowable discrete device into the fluid flow path at the first location to cause the working fluid to move the at least one flowable device to the second location of interest; and (c) providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at one flowable discrete device.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting the at least one flowable discrete device from a group consisting of: (i) a device having a sensor for providing a measure of a parameter of interest; (ii) a device having a memory for storing data therein; (iii) a device carrying energy that is transmittable to another device; (iv) a solid mass carrying a chemical that alters a state when said solid mass encounters a particular property in the wellbore; (v) a device carrying a biological mass; (vi) a data recording device; (vii) a device that is adapted to take a mechanical action; and (viii) a self-charging device due to interaction with the working fluid in the wellbore.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting the at least one flowable discrete device as a device that provides a measure of a parameter of interest selected from a group consisting of (i) pressure; (ii) temperature;
(iii) flow rate; (iv) vibration; (v) presence of a particular chemical in the wellbore;
(vi) viscosity; (vii) water saturation; (viii) composition of a material; (ix) corrosion; (x) velocity; (xi) a physical dimension; and (xi) deposition of a particular matter in a fluid.
27. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting the at least one flowable discrete device as a device that is adapted to carry data that is one of (i) prerecorded on the at least one flowable discrete device; (ii) recorded on the at least one flowable discrete device downhole; (iii) self recorded by the at least one flowable discrete device; and (iv) inferred by a change of a state associated with the at least one flowable discrete device.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising receiving the data carried by said at least one flowable discrete device by a downhole device and transmitting a signal in response to said received signal to a device located outside said wellbore.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising receiving said signal from said downhole device at a location outside said wellbore at a location that is one of:
(A) in a lateral wellbore associated with said wellbore; (B) in a separate wellbore;
(C) at the surface; and (D) in an injection well.
30. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting the at least one flowable discrete device from a group of devices consisting of: (i) a device that is freely movable by the working fluid; (ii) a device that has variable buoyancy;
(iii) a device that includes a propulsion mechanism that aids the at least one flowable discrete device to flow within the working fluid; and (iv) a device whose movement in the working fluid is aided by the gravitational field.
31. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting the at least one flowable discrete device as a device that is one of: (i) resistant to wellbore temperatures; (ii) resistant to chemicals; (iii) resistant to pressures in wellbores;
(iv) vibration resistant; (v) impact resistant; (vi) resistant to electromagnetic radiation; (vii) resistant to electrical noise; and (viii) resistant to nuclear fields.
32. The method of claim 24, wherein said introducing the at least one flowable discrete device into the working fluid further comprises delivering the at least one flowable discrete device to the working fluid by one of: (i) an isolated flow path;
(ii) a chemical injection line; (iii) a tubing in a wellbore; (iv) a hydraulic line reaching the second location of interest and returning to the surface; (v) through a drill string carrying drilling fluid; (vi) through an annulus between a drill string and the wellbore; (vi) trough a tubing disposed outside a drill string; and (viii) in a container that is adapted to release said at least one flowable discrete device in the wellbore.
33. The method of claim 24 further comprising recovering said at least one flowable discrete device.
34. The method of claim 24, wherein said introducing the at least one flowable discrete device into the fluid flow path includes introducing a plurality of flowable discrete devices,8 each such flowable discrete device adapted to perform at least one task.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said introducing of a plurality of flowable discrete devices comprises one of: (i) timed release; (ii) time independent release; (iii) on demand release; and (iv) event initiated release.
36. The method of claim 24, wherein the flowable discrete devices in said plurality are adapted to communicate information with other devices, thereby forming a communication network in the wellbore.
37. The method of claim 24 further comprising providing a unique address to the at least one flowable discrete device.
38. The method of claim 24 further comprising causing the data exchange device to transmit a signal confirming said data exchange.
39. The method of claim 24, wherein said introducing said at least one flowable discrete device comprises introducing the at least one flowable discrete device that includes a sensor that is one of (i) mechanical (ii) electrical;
(iii) chemical; (iv) nuclear; and (v) biological.
40. The method of claim 24 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable discrete devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.
CA2641431A 1999-05-28 2000-05-25 Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores Expired - Lifetime CA2641431C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13665699P 1999-05-28 1999-05-28
US60/136,656 1999-05-28
CA002375080A CA2375080C (en) 1999-05-28 2000-05-25 Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores

Related Parent Applications (1)

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CA002375080A Division CA2375080C (en) 1999-05-28 2000-05-25 Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores

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CA2641431A1 true CA2641431A1 (en) 2000-12-07
CA2641431C CA2641431C (en) 2010-09-28

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EP (1) EP1181435B1 (en)
AU (1) AU5046000A (en)
CA (2) CA2375080C (en)
NO (1) NO320858B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2000073625A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000073625A1 (en) 2000-12-07
EP1181435A1 (en) 2002-02-27
CA2641431C (en) 2010-09-28
NO20015771L (en) 2002-01-22
CA2375080C (en) 2009-10-27
EP1181435B1 (en) 2004-11-03
AU5046000A (en) 2000-12-18
NO320858B1 (en) 2006-02-06
CA2375080A1 (en) 2000-12-07
NO20015771D0 (en) 2001-11-27

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