CN100443692C - Radially adjustable downhole devices & methods for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for logging a wellbore includes actuating a positioning device to adjust the position of a module relative to a reference point or object such as a wellbore axis or proximally positioned downhole device. With respect to a wellbore (14), an exemplary positioning device (140A, 140B) can set the measurement tool (104A, 104B) such as an acoustic device to successive radial positions (e.g., substantial concentricity or substantial eccentricity relative to an axis of the wellbore). In one embodiment, the module includes a measurement tool to measure different parameters of interest (e.g., acoustic logging data, check-shot data measurement, bonding of cement to casing). With respect to an adjacent downhole device, the positioning device can provide a selected relative orientation (e.g., azimuth, inclination, radial displacement) between the module (102A, 102B) and the adjacent downhole device. The positioning device can also be adapted to apply a jarring force to a wall of the wellbore to free a downhole device.

Description

But the underground equipment of radiai adjustment and method thereof

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the oil field wellbore tools, but more specifically to the logging equipment with radiai adjustment module (module).

Background technology

Usually employing is reconnoitred oil well or gas well such as the electronic measuring device that cable, logging cable, slick line (slickline), drilling rod or coiled tubing control umbilicals such as (coiled tubing) pass to well, to determine one or more geology, rock physics, geophysics and well recovery characteristic (" important parameter ").Be suitable for carrying out this instrument of reconnoitring and be commonly referred to as formation evaluation tools.That these instruments use is electric, sound wave, nucleon and/or magnetic energy encourage stratum and the fluid in the well and measures the stratum and the reaction of fluid.The measurement result that downhole instrument is finished is transmitted back to ground.Under many circumstances, need repeatedly stroke or logging operation to collect data necessary.

Those skilled in the art know, are collecting first group of data with some instruments with the position of well essentially concentric, and are collecting second group of data with the basic eccentric position of well.Usually, the position of instrument on control umbilical is static or fixing.Therefore, two types data are collected in twice of needs or logging operation repeatedly, even a kind of instrument can be collected two types data.This area is also well-known, and some logging operations can utilize a dozen or the more different measuring instrument in the parcel post.In these instruments each all requires the diverse location radial position of borehole axis (for example with respect to) and/or the different each other actual orientation with respect to well.

Only be not to be to limit the scope of the invention and use for example, mention a kind of nuclear magnetic resonance (" NMR ") instrument, for example U.S. Patent Application Serial 09/997,451 (" ' 451 application ") is described, and it has identical assignee with the application and its content all is incorporated herein by reference.' 451 applications described a kind of can be at the NMR instrument of small diameter borehole center and large hole distributed locations operation.The NMR instrument only be much usually in ground refitting in the representative of different radial positions (for example aligning, orientation etc.) with the multipurpose instrument of finishing different task (for example collecting data of different types) in the down-hole.

The present invention is devoted to solve these and other shortcoming of conventional oil well instrument.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of tool system, it has at least one can place module with respect to the reference object select location.Select location can be with respect to the radial position of borehole axis or with respect to the selected orientation (for example orientation, gradient) of proximity modules.This tool system is suitable for being used on the rig that is positioned on the important subterranean strata.In one embodiment, tool system is sent to down hole via logging cable and comprises one or more modules of holding the measureing equipment that is suitable for measuring important parameter.In one embodiment, the module that measureing equipment is housed is provided with positioning equipment.Positioning equipment is configured to regulate relevant module and/or holds it in selected radial position with respect to reference point or target (for example underground equipment of borehole axis or disposed adjacent).Positioning equipment is when receiving command signal and/or automatically with the radial position of adjustment module on the spot of closed loop pattern.The maintenance of described selected radial position or regulate the restriction of the radial position that is not subjected to adjacent block (one or more).But typical positioning equipment comprises the setting element of a plurality of independent regulation and relevant driven unit.Driven unit and setting element are configured to provide fixing or adjustable radial displacement and/or with respect to the power of the fixing of the borehole wall or adjustable size joint.This tool system keeps communicating by letter via remote-measuring equipment and ground installation (for example controller) that bi-directional data/command signal exchange is provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, positioning equipment is suitable for module selected orientation with respect to proximity modules is provided.For example, positioning equipment can comprise the swivel joint (swivel) that is driven by the mechanism that is fit to, and it is oriented in selected gradient with respect to second module with first module.Swivel joint can be configured to also first module is set in respect to the selected orientation of second module or sets existing relative bearing that gradient is arranged again.In another embodiment of the present invention, positioning equipment is suitable for providing jarring force.For example, to be suitable for by the borehole wall being brought out the equipment jarring that stable or pulsed radial force will resemble formation sampling instrument and so on be free state to the setting element of positioning equipment.

In the method for operation of a use acoustic tool (acoustic tool), acoustic tool is imported well near acoustic tool is positioned at barefoot interval by tool model.When needing, acoustic tool is located at center with respect to borehole axis to carry out acoustic logging.After acoustic logging is finished, start one or more positioning equipments acoustic tool is placed with respect to the basic off-centre of well or the radial position of dispersion.Described distributed locations for example can be acoustically coupled to acoustic tool the borehole wall and can carry out check shot (check-shot) and measure.Between collection period, controller can be configured to by for example data being compared with pre-determined model measurement result be analyzed.After finishing acoustic logging and taking check-shot data measurement (in same logging operation), logging instrument can be positioned at the cased zone of well.In this position, positioning equipment is located at acoustic tool the position of essentially concentric to collect various data, for example about the data of cement and sleeve pipe gluing.

The present invention having been done summary description (even suitable summary) than the important characteristic example also can understand following to its detailed description and understand these examples to the description of the Prior Art role better.Certainly, the present invention also has other characteristics to be described hereinafter, and they will constitute the main contents of claims.

Description of drawings

In order to understand the present invention in more detail, should be in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with reference to following detailed description of preferred embodiment, among the figure:

But Fig. 1 is to use an embodiment schematic diagram of the system that is suitable for being used in radiai adjustment module in the logging operation;

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment sectional drawing of the made positioning equipment according to the present invention;

But Fig. 3 A is the front schematic view that places the radiai adjustment module of barefoot interval;

But Fig. 3 B is the front schematic view that places the radiai adjustment module of well cased section;

Fig. 3 C is the made module front schematic view that is provided with an embodiment of jarring equipment according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 D is the front schematic view of another embodiment of setting element;

Fig. 3 E is the front schematic view of the another embodiment of setting element;

Fig. 4 briefly shows an embodiment who arranges according to the present invention, and wherein orientation tool is configured to regulate the radial position of measureing equipment.

The specific embodiment

At first with reference to figure 1, ground drill shown in the figure 10, it is positioned on the important subterranean strata 12.Rig 10 can be land or the part of offshore field oil recovery/structure facility.Be formed at rig 10 following wells 14 and comprise cased section 16 and barefoot interval 18.(during for example drilling well, completion, the well workover etc.) are in some cases carried out logging operation and are collected the information relevant with stratum 12 and well 14.Usually, tool system 100 is sent to the down-hole to measure the one or more important parameters relevant with well 14 and/or stratum 12 via control umbilical 110.Below used term " control umbilical " comprise cable, logging cable, slick line, drilling rod, coiled tubing and the miscellaneous equipment that is suitable for instrument is imported into well.Tool system 100 can comprise one or more module 102A, B, and each module has an instrument or a plurality of instrument 104A, and B is used for finishing one or multinomial down-hole task.Term " module " should be understood to for example the to pop one's head in equipment of (sonde) or joint and so on, it is suitable for sealing, hold or other supportings will be used equipment in the well.Although there is shown the module 102A of two disposed adjacent, the instrument 104A that B is relevant with two, B should be appreciated that the quantity that also can use more or less.

In one embodiment, instrument 104A is suitable for measuring formation evaluation tools one or more and stratum or the relevant important parameter of well.Should be appreciated that the term formation evaluation tools comprise measureing equipment, sensor and initiatively or other similar devices of the various character relevant datas of passive collection and stratum, provide with for information about direction sensor of tool orientation and the direction of motion, provide with properties of fluid in bearing stratum for information about with the formation testing sensors of assessing reservoir conditions.Formation evaluation sensor can comprise resistivity sensor, the sonic sensor that is used for determining stratum acoustic porosity and stratum bed boundary, the nucleon sensor that is used for determining density of earth formations, nucleon degree of porosity and some rock property that is used for layer resistivity, dielectric constant and hydrocarbon definitely and whether exists, the nmr sensor that is used for determining formation porosity and other petrophysical property.Direction and position sensor preferably include the combination of one or more accelerometers and one or more free gyroscope or magnetometer.Accelerometer is preferably measured along three axis.Formation testing sensors is collected the formation fluid sample and the character of layer fluid definitely, comprises physical property and chemical property.The pressure measxurement on stratum is provided the information of relevant reservoir property.

In certain embodiments, tool system 100 can comprise telemetry equipment 150, part or downhole controller 152 and well dynamic source 154.Telemetry equipment 150 is for exchange data signals between ground controller 112 and tool system 100 and control signal is sent to tool system 100 from ground based processor 112 two-way communication is provided.

In a typical but non-limiting embodiment, the first module 102A comprises the instrument 104A that is configured to measure first important parameter, and the second module 102B comprises the instrument 104B that is configured to measure with identical or different second important parameter of first important parameter.In order to finish their appointed task, instrument 104A may need to be in different positions with 104B.These positions can be with reference to the target such as instrument of well, the borehole wall and/or other disposed adjacent and so on.In addition, term " position " means and comprises radial position, gradient and azimuthal orientation.Only be for convenience, the well longitudinal axis (" borehole axis ") will be as axis of reference descriptive tool 104A, the relative radial location of B.Other target or point also can be used as referential and describe motion or position with respect to this referential.In addition, in some cases, instrument 104A, the task of B can change between the operational period relevant with well.In general, instrument 104A can be suitable for finishing selected task according to the factor of one or more selections.These factors can comprise, but be not limited to the change of the degree of depth, time, formation characteristics and the variation of other instrument task.

According to one embodiment of present invention, module 102A and 102B respectively are provided with positioning equipment 140A, 140B respectively.Positioning equipment 140 is configured to module 102 is remained on respect to the selected radial position in reference position (for example borehole axis).Positioning equipment 140 is also when receiving the surface instruction signal and/or automatically with the radial position of closed loop pattern adjustment module 102.Keep or regulate the restriction that described selected radial position is not subjected to adjacent downhole device (for example survey tool, probe, module, joint or other similar equipment) radial position.Hinged member, the flexible member 156 that for example module 102 is connected to tool system 100 provides certain flexibility or pivoting degree, to adapt to the radial positioning difference between adjacent block and/or other equipment (for example processor sonde or miscellaneous equipment).In other embodiments, one or more in the positioning equipment have fixing setting element.

According to an embodiment, positioning equipment 140 comprises body 142, this body have a plurality of circle spacings be arranged in setting element 144 around the body 142 (a, b, c).(a, b c) are suitable for motion independently between extended position and retracted position to element 144.Extended position can be fixed range or adjustable distance.(a, b c) comprise that rib, pad, piston, cam, swelling gasbag or other are suitable for engaging the equipment such as the borehole wall or inside pipe casing surface to the setting element 144 that is fit to.In certain embodiments, (a, b c) can be configured to temporarily instrument be locked or is anchored on the permanent position and/or instrument can be moved along well with respect to well setting element 144.

Driven unit 146 (a, b, c) be used for moving meter 144 (a, b, c).Driven unit 146 (a, b, c) exemplary embodiments comprise that Mechatronic Systems (for example being connected to the motor of mechanical linkage), Hydraulic Power Transmission System (for example supplying with the piston cylinder apparatus of compressed fluid) or other are adapted at extending and retracted position between moving meter 144 (a, b, system c).Driven unit 146 (a, b, c) and element 144 (a, b c) can be configured to provide power with respect to the fixing of the borehole wall or adjustable size joint.For example, at station-keeping mode, (a, b c) can be with tool positioned in selected radially aligning or position to start driven unit 146.Yet the power that puts on the borehole wall is not big moving to the prevention instrument along well.At locking mode, (a, b c) can (a, b c) and produce sufficiently high frictional force between the borehole wall, so that stop its relative motion basically at element 144 to start driven unit 146.In certain embodiments, the biasing member (not shown) can be used to that (a, b c) remain on the predetermined reference position with setting element 144.In a typical configuration, (a, b c) remain on extended position to the biasing member (not shown), and this will provide centralized positioning for module with setting element 144.In this configuration, the excitation driven unit overcomes the biasing force of biasing member and one or more setting elements is moved to the radial position of regulation, and this will provide the location of dispersion for module.In another typical configuration, biasing member can remain on setting element the retracted mode in the positioning equipment housing.As can be seen, this layout will reduce the cross-sectional profile of module, for example reduce module and be trapped in confined danger in the well.

Excitation positioning equipment 140 and driven unit 146 (a, b c) can pass through well dynamic source (for example battery or closed loop hydraulic fluid source) or by transmitted the ground power source of energy stream (for example electric energy or compressed fluid) by suitable conduit (such as control umbilical 120).In addition, although shown in a driven unit (for example driven unit 146a) and a setting element 144 (for example setting element 144a) paired, other embodiment also can use a driven unit to move two or more setting elements.

Refer now to Fig. 3 A and 3B, place oil well barefoot interval 18 and cased section 16 typical formation evaluation tool systems 200 shown in the figure respectively.This tool system 200 comprises a plurality of module or joints that are used to measure important parameter.Shown in typical module 202 be connected to upper tool section 204 and lower tool section 206 by flexible member 156.In a typical embodiment, module 202 supporting acoustic tool 208.When being in barefoot interval 18, acoustic tool 208 can be located at eccentric position (being the radial disbalance position) by starting setting element 140A and 140B.This off-centre or radially offset position basically with along last/following tool string (tool string) section 204 and 206 or therein underground equipment (for example measureing equipment and sensor) radial position irrelevant.That is to say that last or lower tool string section 204 and 206 can have formation evaluation sensor and the measureing equipment that is in different radial positions with module 202.In the position of this off-centre or radial deflection, acoustic tool can be used to collect data, such as the check shot data.In some cases, be favourable along the borehole wall with planetary mode mobile module 202.Should be appreciated that this motion can the extension/withdrawal distance by changing setting element continuously finish.

In Fig. 3 B, shown in acoustic tool 208 in the cased section 16 of well 14.At this cased section 16, excitation setting element 140A, B brings acoustic tool 208 into respect to well 14 center or concentric position.At above-mentioned position or alignment, acoustic tool can be configured to measure or assess the bond between sleeve pipe 16A and the cement 16B.Setting element 140A, this of B triggers the command signal that will definitely send by the part or the command signal that sends from ground again.

Refer now to Fig. 3 c, in another embodiment of the present invention, instrument 300 can comprise the fluid sampling tool 302 of collection and formation testing fluid.Usually, this instrument comprises probe tube 304, and itself and the borehole wall 15 join, and merga pass brings out vacuum or negative pressure sucks wellbore fluid in sampling room's (not shown).In some cases, after finishing sampling, the residual vacuum pressure that is retained in the pipe 304 prevents that instrument 302 from shifting out the borehole wall 15.Usually, desire will make instrument 300 freely need to change the tension force of the control umbilical 306 that is applied to top hanging tool 300.According to one embodiment of present invention, this instrument comprises setting element 308a, and b, this setting element gain freedom by the stable or pulsed radial force F jarring formation sampling instrument that brings out the borehole wall 15 when excitation.

Refer now to Fig. 3 D, another embodiment of positioning equipment shown in the figure 320, this positioning equipment have used the crooked selectively flexible member 324 of extending element 322 (such as semielliptic spring).Flexible member 324 is provided with arcuate surfaces, and it can drag along the borehole wall 326, to reduce to be damaged and/or to be stuck in the risk in the well 328.Refer now to Fig. 3 E, positioning equipment shown in the figure 330, it provides orientation with respect to another module (such as adjacent block 344) to module 342.In the embodiment of Fig. 3 E, under the condition that does not engage borehole wall (not shown), the position of module 342 is regulated.On the contrary, in one embodiment, driving mechanism 338 starts jointing 340.Jointing 340 is suitable for providing one or more articulation degrees between first module 342 and second module 344.Typical relative motion comprises relative translation campaign, relative rotary motion and the orientation rotation between first and second modules 342,344.Thereby jointing 340 makes first and second modules 342,344 can have different radial position (for example non-concentric tool or longitudinal centre line), different gradient and the position of different azimuth direction.Suitable drive mechanisms includes but not limited to motor and hydraulic motor and by the hydraulic piston of compressed fluid (for example gas or oil) energy supply.Jointing 340 can comprise whirligig and other suitable hinged member.

Refer now to Fig. 4, briefly show one embodiment of the present of invention among the figure, it is configured to measure the data on stratum during logging operation.The tool system 400 that is transmitted by the logging cable (not shown) comprises one or more formation evaluation tools 402a, 402b etc.Each instrument 402a, 402b comprise relevant positioning equipment 404a, 404b.In one embodiment, controller 406 is configured to handle positioning equipment 404a, thus the radial location of b control tool 402a, 402b.Controller 406 preferably comprises the microprocessor or the microcontroller of one or more processing signals and data and execution control function, solid-state memory and other necessary control circuit of stored program instruction, model (can be interaction models) and data.Microprocessor is controlled the operation of various sensors, communication is being provided between the downhole sensor and is providing bi-directional data to communicate by letter with signal via bidirectioanl-telemetry system 408 between tool system 400 and ground controller 410.

For simplicity, a controller 406 just is shown.Yet should be appreciated that also and can use a plurality of controllers.For example, can use that downhole controller is collected, deal with data and data are sent to ground controller, ground controller is further handled data and suitable control signal is sent to the down-hole.The modification that also can use other to separate data processing task and produce control signal.Like this, controller (for example semiclosed loop or close loop maneuver) or alternatively operation independently.In certain embodiments, controller can be aimed at setting element again and/or utilize pre-programmed data (for example resembling well profile datas such as the degree of depth) to aim at setting element again when receiving surface instruction.In some cases, also can use the dynamic radial position with by for example regulating measureing equipment 402a, the factor that the position correction of b influences DATA REASONING is optimized the collection of data.In addition, controller 406 also can utilize static state or the model that dynamically updates is assessed measureing equipment 402a, the quality of data that b is collected and send the command signal of aiming at setting element again to revise or to optimize the DATA REASONING result.Controller 406 also can be configured to collect data from other underground equipment (for example sensor and measureing equipment).Data (for example orientation, tool face orientation, gradient) from these other assessment tools 412 also can be used to revise and/or optimize data-gathering process.

Refer now to Fig. 3 A, B, in a kind of operating type, tool system 100 is sent in the well 14, up to the close barefoot interval 18 in tool system location.Well 12 can comprise vertical section, tilting section or deviated section and any horizontal segment.In one embodiment, measureing equipment is configured to acoustic tool 208.For acoustic logging, measureing equipment is located at the center with respect to borehole axis.After finishing acoustic logging, ground controller 112 and/or and down controller 207 start one or more positioning equipment 204a, b places acoustic tool 208 with respect to well 14 basic eccentric or eccentric radial positions.The position of this off-centre can place acoustic tool with the wall of well 14 and directly contact.This direct contact provides the acoustical coupling that can collect check-shot measurements.Between collection period, controller 112,207 can be configured to by for example data and pre-determined model being compared the analysis to measure result.Based on this comparison, controller 112,207 can send command signal as required and regulate the radial position of acoustic tool 208 to improve the quality of survey data.Therefore, thus for example controller can compensate the tool orientation of well deflection section this instrument is remained on selected eccentric by regulating orientation tool.After finishing acoustic logging and obtaining check-shot data measurements (in same logging operation), acoustic tool 208 can be positioned in the cased section 16 of well.In this position, controller 112,207 can be handled positioning equipment 140A, and B is aligned in acoustic tool 208 position of essentially concentric to collect different data, for example with cement and the glued relevant data of sleeve pipe.Should be appreciated that controller 112,207 can be independently or with ground based processor 412 or ground staff's cooperating.In addition, in certain embodiments, setting element just can be directly from Ground Control without downhole controller.

Therefore be to be understood that, can during a logging operation, measureing equipment be positioned at first radial position to measure first important parameter according to the made module of certain embodiments of the invention, then measureing equipment be positioned at second radial position to measure second important parameter etc.In general, in certain embodiments, the inventor discloses a kind of downhole tool, and it is located selectively finishing and may be correlated with or incoherent various down-holes task.

Although aforementioned disclosure is pointed to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various improvement are still very clear for those skilled in the art.For example, logging cable only is a kind of suitable connecting gear.Other suitable device comprises slick line, coiled tubing (metal or composite material) and drill string.Will be understood that various modification are included in the aforementioned disclosure in the scope and spirit scope of claims.

Claims (21)

1. method of carrying out underground work in well comprises:

(a) will have the contiguous device that is connected to first module of second module and import well into, this first module has the downhole tool that can select the positioning equipment of regulating and be suitable for finishing selected task; With

(b) start positioning equipment, radially locate first module with respect to reference point selectively, the relative position of this first module is different with the relative position of second module, and wherein downhole tool can be at least two position operation with respect to reference point.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein reference point is a borehole axis, and select location is to be selected from one of following radial position: (i) with respect to borehole axis off-centre; (ii) concentric with respect to borehole axis.

3. method according to claim 1 also comprises with controller and controls positioning equipment.

4. method according to claim 3 also comprises according to one of the following positioning equipment of regulating: (i) data of pre-programmed; The model that (ii) dynamically updates; (iii) by the data-signal that sensor provided that is connected to controller.

5. method according to claim 1 also comprises first module is connected to being selected from one of following control umbilical: (i) logging cable; (ii) slick line; (iii) coiled tubing; (iv) drill string and (v) cable.

6. method according to claim 1, wherein downhole tool is the survey tool that is suitable for measuring at least one important parameter.

7. method according to claim 6 also is included in when handling survey tool and moves first module along well.

8. method according to claim 6 also comprises the position of regulating first module when handling survey tool.

9. method according to claim 8, wherein survey tool is measured by following at least a mode: (i) resistivity, (ii) NMR, (iii) nucleon, (iv) formation fluid sampling and (v) sound wave.

10. method according to claim 6 also comprises:

(a) operational measure instrument in first section of well;

(b) survey tool is moved to second section of well;

(c) start positioning equipment, first module is positioned at the select location of second section of well; With

(d) operational measure instrument in second section of well.

11. method according to claim 1, wherein second module is a reference point.

12. a device that is used for the stratum well comprises:

(a) control umbilical;

(b) first module that on control umbilical, transmits;

(c) be suitable for finishing the downhole tool of the selected task of bearing by first module;

(d) second module that on the control umbilical of contiguous first module, transmits;

(e) positioning equipment that is associated with first module, this positioning equipment is suitable for regulating selectively the position of correlation module with respect to second module, and wherein downhole tool can be with respect to reference point at least two position operation.

13. device according to claim 12, wherein reference point is a borehole axis, and select location is to be selected from one of following radial position: (i) basically with respect to borehole axis off-centre; (ii) concentric with respect to borehole axis basically.

14. device according to claim 12, downhole tool are survey tools, it is one of following that this survey tool is suitable for measuring: (i) resistivity, (ii) NMR, (iii) nucleon, (iv) formation fluid sampling and (v) sound wave.

15. device according to claim 12, wherein positioning equipment is suitable for keeping select location in first module when well moves.

16. device according to claim 12, wherein first module has the selected orientation with respect to second module.

17. device according to claim 12 also comprises the controller that is configured to control positioning equipment.

18. device according to claim 17, its middle controller are configured to according to one of following location first module: (i) pre-programmed standard; The standard that (ii) dynamically updates; (iii) from the sensor signal of communicating by letter with controller.

19. device according to claim 12 changes the position of first module when wherein positioning equipment is configured to just operate first module.

20. device according to claim 12, wherein control umbilical is selected from one of following: (i) logging cable; (ii) slick line; (iii) coiled tubing; (iv) drill string and (v) cable.

21. device according to claim 12, wherein positioning equipment is suitable for and will places the survey tool of first module to break away from from the borehole wall.

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