Real-Time Well Surveillance Using a Wireless Network and an In-Wellbore Tool

摘要

A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a signal receiver that is run into the wellbore on a working string. The signal receiver receives wireless signals from receiver communications nodes placed along the wellbore. The data from those signals is then sent up the wellbore, either by directing the signals directly up the working string, or by spooling the string to the surface and uploading the data. Sensors and associated communications nodes arc placed within the wellbore to collect data. The communications nodes may be the signal receiver nodes; alternatively, the communications nodes may send data from the sensors up the wellbore through acoustic signals to a receiver communications node. In the latter instance, intermediate communications nodes having electro-acoustic transducers are used as part of a novel telemetry system.

主权项

1. A method of transmitting data along a wellbore up to a surface, comprising:
placing two or more downhole sensors along the wellbore proximate a depth of a subsurface formation, the subsurface formation containing hydrocarbon fluids; generating signals at the downhole sensors that are indicative of one or more subsurface conditions; providing two or more sensor communications nodes along the wellbore proximate a depth of a subsurface formation, each sensor communications node having a transceiver for transmitting data corresponding to the generated signals as data signals; running a downhole tool into a wellbore using a working string, the downhole tool having an associated signal receiver; transmitting data signals from the sensor communications nodes to the signal receiver by means of a wireless transmission as the signal receiver moves within a designated proximity to the respective sensor communications nodes within the wellbore; and receiving data from the signal receiver at the surface.