Not applicable.
The disclosure relates generally to wellbore completion and hydrocarbon production apparatus and methods that employ pressure and/or temperature tracers. More particularly, the disclosure relates to downhole applications that utilize pressure and/or temperature tracers to measure, record, and monitor downhole pressures and/or temperatures during fracing operations and production operations.
To recover hydrocarbons from a reservoir within a subterranean formation, a borehole is drilled into the formation, the borehole is prepared for production, and then the hydrocarbons are produced via the wellbore. During drilling operations a drill bit is typically mounted on the lower end of a drill string and is rotated by rotating the drill string at the surface or by actuation of downhole motors or turbines, or by both methods. With weight applied to the drill string, the rotating drill bit engages the earthen formation and proceeds to form a borehole along a predetermined path towards a target zone. After drilling the borehole, it is completed in anticipation of production. During completion operations, the borehole is prepared for production by installing the hardware and equipment necessary to enable safe and efficient production of hydrocarbons from the resulting wellbore. A borehole is typically completed by lining the borehole with casing to ensure borehole integrity, perforating the casing to provide fluid communication between the inside of the casing and the surrounding reservoir, and installing production tubulars used to transport produced fluids (e.g., oil and gas) entering the casing to the surface. In some cases, well-stimulation techniques are applied during completion operations to facilitate and/or enhance production from the surrounding reservoir. For example, hydraulic fracturing (also referred to as “fracing”) is a well-stimulation technique in which the formation rock containing the reservoir is fractured by a pressurized liquid and proppant placed to enhance fluid communication between the reservoir and the wellbore. After completing the borehole, hydrocarbons from the reservoir are produced by allowing the hydrocarbons to enter the casing through the perforations in the casing, and then transporting the hydrocarbons to the surface via the production tubulars. Natural reservoir pressure and/or artificial lift techniques may be employed to facilitate the production of the hydrocarbons to the surface.
Embodiments of frac plugs for frac plug assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a frac plug comprises a body having an outer surface, a first pocket in the outer surface, and a second pocket in the outer surface. In addition, the frac plug comprises a first sensor removably disposed in the first pocket. The first sensor is configured to measure and record a plurality of pressures. Further, the frac plug comprises a second sensor removably disposed in the second pocket. The second sensor is configured to measure and record a plurality of pressures. Still further, the frac plug comprises a first cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the first pocket. Moreover, the frac plug comprises a second cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the second pocket. The first cap includes a port and the second cap includes a port.
Embodiments of methods for completing wellbores are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for completing a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation comprises (a) coupling a frac plug to an isolation block to form a frac plug assembly. In addition, the method comprises (b) lowering the frac plug assembly into the wellbore after (a). Further, the method comprises (c) setting the frac plug assembly in the wellbore to isolate a first zone in the wellbore above the frac plug assembly from a second zone in the wellbore below the frac plug assembly. Still further, the method comprises (d) pumping a pressurized fracing fluid into the first zone to hydraulically fracture the formation after (c). Moreover, the method comprises (e) measuring and recording a plurality of pressures in the first zone during (d) with a first sensor disposed in the frac plug, and measuring and recording a plurality of pressures in the second zone during (d) with a second sensor disposed in the frac plug.
Another embodiment of a method for completing a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation comprises (a) coupling a frac plug to an isolation block to form a frac plug assembly. In addition, the method comprises (b) lowering the frac plug assembly into the wellbore after (a). Further, the method comprises (c) setting the frac plug assembly in the wellbore to isolate a first zone in the wellbore above the frac plug assembly from a second zone in the wellbore below the frac plug assembly. Still further, the method comprises (d) pumping a pressurized fracing fluid into the first zone to hydraulically fracture the formation after (c). Moreover, the method comprises (e) measuring and recording a plurality of temperatures in the first zone during (d) with a first sensor disposed in the frac plug, and measuring and recording a plurality of temperatures in the second zone during (d) with a second sensor disposed in the frac plug.
Embodiments of tools for measuring and recording downhole conditions are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a tool for measuring and recording downhole conditions during a production operation comprises a tubular sub having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, a radially inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, a first pocket extending radially from the radially outer surface, and a second pocket extending radially from the radially outer surface. The radially inner surface defines a throughbore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end. In addition, the tool comprises a first sensor disposed in the first pocket. Further, the tool comprises a second sensor disposed in the second pocket. Still further, the tool comprises a first cap releasably coupled to the sub and closing the first pocket. The first cap includes a first port extending therethrough. The first port is in fluid communication with the first pocket and the environment outside the sub. Moreover, the tool comprises a second cap releasably coupled to the sub and closing the second pocket. The second cap is configured to prevent fluid communication between the second pocket and the environment outside the sub. The sub includes a second port extending from the throughbore to the second pocket.
Embodiments of methods for determining conditions in a wellbore are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for determining conditions in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation comprises (a) deploying a plurality of sensor pods in the wellbore. Each sensor pod includes a housing and a plurality of sensors disposed in the housing. In addition, the method comprises (b) measuring and recording a plurality of pressures and a plurality of temperatures with plurality of sensors of each sensor pod. Further, the method comprises (c) dissolving the housings of the pods to release the plurality of sensors from the pods after (b). Still further, the method comprises (d) lifting the sensors to the surface after (c).
Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and advantages intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct engagement between the two devices, or through an indirect connection that is established via other devices, components, nodes, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a particular axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to a particular axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the axis. Any reference to up or down in the description and the claims is made for purposes of clarity, with “up”, “upper”, “upwardly”, “uphole”, or “upstream” meaning toward the surface of the borehole and with “down”, “lower”, “downwardly”, “downhole”, or “downstream” meaning toward the terminal end of the borehole, regardless of the borehole orientation. As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and the like mean within 10% (i.e., plus or minus 10%) of the recited value. Thus, for example, a recited angle of “about 80 degrees” refers to an angle ranging from 72 degrees to 88 degrees.
During a hydraulic fracing operation, a highly pressurized liquid, referred to as the “frac fluid,” is pumped down the wellbore and is utilized to initiate and propagate cracks or fractures in the formation rock extending from perforations in the casing that lines the wellbore. Typically, fracing is performed at a plurality of spaced intervals along the wellbore, each interval defining a frac “stage.” At each stage, the casing is perforated and then the portion of the formation extending from the perforations is fraced. Previously fraced stages are isolated from the particular stage being fraced. The cracks formed in the formation by fracing define flow paths through which hydrocarbons in the formation can flow, thereby enhancing fluid communication between the reservoir in the formation and the wellbore.
The pressure and temperature profiles in at the bottom hole during a perforation job provide insight into the effectiveness of the perforation. For example, the size of the pressure spike at the bottom hole assembly (BHA) during a perforation can provide insight into the size and/or geometry of the resulting perforations. As another example, an increase in the temperature of fluids surrounding the BHA shortly after a perforating the casing may indicate an influx of relatively hot formation fluids into the wellbore, which confirms fluid communication between the wellbore and the surrounding formation (i.e., that the perforations extend through the casing).
The pressure profile of the frac fluid within a given stage being fraced (i.e., at the location where the cracks in that stage are initiated) influences the development and behavior of the cracks, and thus, provides insight into the fracing process and formation mechanical properties, which can be used to assess and/or tailor a variety of subsequent activities (e.g., subsequent fracing cycles). In addition, the pressure profile of the fracing fluid during a fracing operation can be used to identify stages that were insufficiently isolated during fracing, which may also influence subsequent operations. For example, if a particular stage was not sufficiently isolated during fracing, it can be fraced again to ensure sufficient initiation and propagation of cracks in the formation surrounding that stage.
When working with downhole pressure and temperature measurements, it is preferable to obtain measurements as close as possible to the perforations, where either fluids are injected during a fracturing stage, or where reservoir fluids (including hydrocarbons) enter the wellbore. Embodiments described herein offer the potential to measure temperatures and pressures proximal the perforations to enable a more clear and accurate understanding of the fluid distribution (injection and/or production), as measurements proximal the perforations will substantially reduce and/or eliminate any fluid friction that is often misunderstood and yields significant uncertainties.
The acquisition of downhole temperature and pressure measurements in accordance with embodiments described herein, in particular the downhole treating pressure during fracturing, which is usually an important input into fracturing simulators, offers the potential to enhance the ability of engineers to use the downhole treating pressure to more accurately estimate number of perforations clusters hydraulically connected to the fracture network, the total amount of additional pressure at the nearwellbore (commonly referred as “nearwellbore” pressure), the type of fracture network or geometry being generated, and optimize the fracturing job treatment by adjusting parameters such as injection rate, sand concentration, fluid viscosity, chemicals added, etc.
The pressure and temperature profiles along a wellbore during production operations can assist with production profiling, as well as aid in the identification and location of loss circulation zones. For example, insight into the pressure and temperature within different stages of the wellbore over time can help the operator identify stages that are producing and stages that are not producing (or are insufficiently producing). In artificial lift production operations, comparison of the pressure profiles in the annulus (between a production string and the casing) and the inside of the production string can be used to determine the efficiency of the lift mechanism, and subsequently, optimize the lift mechanism employed.
For at least the foregoing reasons, the pressure and temperature profiles of fluids in a wellbore during various downhole operations such as drilling, completion, and production operations can provide valuable insight. Embodiments of apparatus and methods described herein provide means for measuring downhole temperatures and pressures during a variety of downhole operations.
Referring now to
As best shown in
Each pocket 110 is identical in this embodiment. In particular, each pocket 110 includes a first or outer cylindrical section 110a extending axially (relative to axis 115) from outer surface 102, a second or intermediate cylindrical section 110b extending axially (relative to axis 115) from first section 110a, and an inner concave semi-spherical section 110c extending axially (relative to axis 115) cylindrical section 110b. Thus, section 110b is axially positioned (relative to axis 115) between sections 110a, 110c. Section 110a has a diameter greater than the diameter of section 110b, thereby defining an annular shoulder 111 therebetween. Semi-spherical section 110c of each pocket 110 defines its radially inner terminal end proximal center 105. It should be appreciated that pockets 110 do not extend to center 105 and do not intersect each other. Accordingly, pockets 110 are not in fluid communication with each other and may be described as being isolated from each other.
Referring again to
As best shown in
To enable sensors 130 to measure, record, and store pressures and/or temperatures, each sensor 130 includes a pressure and/or temperature transducer, a rechargeable battery (e.g., rechargeable lithium ion battery), and memory (e.g., non-volatile memory), all of which are electrically coupled together. The pressure and/or temperature transducer measures the pressure and/or temperature in the environment immediately surrounding sensor 130 (i.e., the pressure and/or temperature in the corresponding pocket 110), and then converts the measured pressure and/or temperature to an electrical signal that is communicated to the memory, which records and stores the measured pressure and/or temperature. The battery provides power to the components within sensor 130 such that sensor 130 can function autonomously during deployment. In this embodiment, the pressure and/or temperature data recorded in memory of sensors 130 is downloaded and analyzed at the surface after sensors 130 are retrieved to the surface. However, in other embodiments, the sensors (e.g., sensors 130) are configured to wirelessly communicate (passively or actively) the measured pressure and/or temperature data from a downhole location to the surface directly or via one or more intermediary components.
The transducer, battery, memory, and any circuitry that allows the communication of power and/or electrical signals between the components of each sensor 130 are disposed within and protected by an outer housing. For use in relatively harsh downhole conditions, the outer housing of each sensor 130 is preferably designed to allow the sensor 130 to function at pressures of at least 15 k psi and temperatures of at least 310° F. In addition, for deployment in pockets 110 of frac ball 100, as well as in other structures described in more detail below, sensors 130 preferably have a relatively small size. In this embodiment, the outer housing of each sensor 130 is a spherical ball. In general, the greater the size (e.g., outer diameter) of the sensor 130, the larger the battery and memory, which enables longer life downhole and an increase in the number of pressure and/or temperature measurements that can be recorded. Although each sensor 130 can have any suitable outer diameter depending on the particular downhole application, in embodiments described herein, each sensor 130 has an outer diameter preferably greater than or equal to 7.5 mm (˜ 5/16 in.), and more preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm (˜ 13/16 in.). In this embodiment, the outer diameter of each sensor 130 is 20 mm (˜ 13/16 in.), which enables sufficient memory to recorded and store at least 50,000 pressure measurements and/or at least 100,000 individual temperature measurements. It should also be appreciated that the majority of perforations in casing typically have a maximum dimension (width or height) that is less than 20 mm, and thus, sensors 130 having a diameter of 20 mm (or more) reduce the likelihood of any sensor 130 that inadvertently exits a pocket 110 downhole from passing through a perforation.
In general, each sensor 130 can measure, record, and store pressures and/or temperatures continuously or at any suitable frequency. In embodiments described herein, each sensor 130 preferably measures, records, and stores pressure and/or temperatures at least once every 5 minutes , and more preferably at least once every 1 to 2 seconds. However, it should be appreciated that the frequency at which each sensor 130 measures, records, and stores pressure and/or temperature data is variable and programmable, and thus, is not limited to the preferred ranges described above. Without being limited by this or any particular theory, the greater the frequency at which pressure and/or temperature measurements are made and recorded, the greater the energy (battery) and memory requirements.
In general, each sensor 130 can be any suitable sensor, and preferably satisfies the preferences above. Examples of suitable sensors that can be used for sensors 130 described herein are the pressure and/or temperature tracers developed by Dr. Mengjiao Yu of the University of Tulsa, which are disclosed in Shi et al., “Development and Field Evaluation of a Distributed Microchip Downhole Measurement System,” SPE-173435-MS, 2015 and Chen et al., “Development of New Diagnostic Method for Lost Circulation in Directional Wells,” Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Referring still to
Frac ball 100 can be used during completion operations to measure and record downhole pressures during such operations, and then retrieved to the surface for subsequent analysis of the measured and recorded downhole pressures. For example,
Referring first to
Moving from
In this embodiment, frac ball 100 is seated and held against seat 304 in a particular orientation during deployment and subsequent perforating and hydraulic fracturing operations. More specifically, frac ball 100 is oriented with pockets 110 and corresponding caps 120 on opposite sides (e.g., above and below) annular seal 306. As a result, once isolation block 301 is set in wellbore 200, pockets 110 and sensors 130 therein are fluidly isolated from each other with one pocket 110 and corresponding sensor 130 facing the fluid in wellbore 200 above assembly 300, and the other pocket 110 and corresponding sensor 130 facing the fluid in wellbore above assembly 300. This positions and enables one sensor 130 to measure the pressure in first zone 205a, and positions and enables the other sensor 130 on the opposite side of frac plug 100 to measure the pressure in second zone 205b.
Moving now to
As previously described, frac ball 100 is firmly and removably held against seat 304, which helps maintain seal 306 during the perforating operation shown in
Due to the orientation of sensors 130 previously described, sensors 130 measure and record the fluid pressures in zones 205a, 205b during the perforating operation. It should be appreciated that the difference in the measured pressures in zones 205a, 205b at any given time represents the pressure differential across assembly 300.
Moving now to
As previously described, frac ball 100 is firmly and removably held against seat 304 with tape or any other degradable adhesive material in this embodiment. However, during the fracing operation shown in
Due to the orientation of sensors 130 previously described, sensors 130 measure and record the fluid pressures in zones 205a, 205b during the fracing operation shown in
Referring now to
In the manner described, frac ball 100 and sensors 130 removably disposed therein can be used to measure, record, and store fluid pressures in zones 205a, 205b during a perforating operation and subsequent hydraulic fracing operation. As previously described, analysis of the measured pressure profiles at the surface can be used to provide valuable insight as to the effectiveness of the perforation and the fracing process. For example, the pressure profile in zone 205a proximal the perforating tool 210 during the formation of perforations 206 can be used to estimate and assess the size and geometry of the resulting perforations 206. As another example, the pressure profile in zone 205a proximal perforations 206 during the fracing operation (i.e., the pressure profile of the hydraulic fracing fluid at perforations 206) can be used to assess the initiation and propagation of fractures 207 in formation 202, which in turn, can be used to tailor subsequent fracking cycles. It should also be appreciated that an understanding of bottom hole pressures during a hydraulic fracing operation will allow completions engineer to more accurately match modeled downhole responses with actual measured downhole responses to better assess the type of fracture network of geometry generated. Pressure measurements proximal the perforations can also be used to calibrate fluid friction down the tubulars, which is often a challenging task. Yet one more potential advantage of having pressure measurements immediately uphole and downhole of the isolation block is that it may enable engineers to understand the efficiency of the frac plug itself, as one of the main objectives of the plug is to hydraulically isolated sections of the wellbore that are hydraulically fractured at different times.
In the perforating and fracing operations described above, two sensors 130 are disposed in frac ball 100, and both sensors 130 measure, record, and store downhole pressure data. However, in other embodiments, more than two sensors (e.g., sensors 130) are disposed in the frac plug (e.g., frac plug 100), and further, one or more of the sensors are temperature sensors that measure, record, and store downhole temperature data. In some embodiments, the sensors disposed in the frac ball include a combination of pressure and temperature sensors.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, a projection of the central axis 115 of each pocket 110 intersects central axis 405 of body 401 and is oriented perpendicular to central axis 405. Accordingly, pockets 110 may be described as extending radially from outer surface 402 toward axis 405. In this embodiment, three pockets 110 are angularly spaced 90° apart. Thus, two of the pockets 110 are diametrically opposed and positioned on opposite sides of body 401 with axes 115 coaxially aligned. Moreover, in this embodiment, pockets 110 are disposed at the same axial distance from each end 401a, 401b, and thus, axes 115 lie in a plane oriented perpendicular to central axis 405.
It should be appreciated that pockets 110 do not extend to throughbore 404 and do not intersect throughbore 404 or each other. Accordingly, pockets 110 are not in fluid communication with each other and may be described as being isolated from each other.
Referring still to
In this embodiment, two pockets 110, labeled 110′ in
Referring still to
Although each sensor 130 can be a pressure and/or temperature sensor, in the embodiment shown in
Referring still to
In general, one or more subs 400 can be deployed downhole and used in any downhole operation to measure, record, and store pressure and temperatures over a period of time. For examples, subs 400 can be used in drilling operations (e.g., disposed along a drillstring or in a bottomhole assembly), perforating operations (e.g., deployed on wireline with a perforating assembly or gun), production operations (e.g., disposed along casing or a production string), etc.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, production string 450 is a string of individual tubular joints (e.g., pipe joints) coupled together end-to-end, however, in other embodiments, the production string (e.g., string 450) comprises coiled tubing. Subs 400 are spaced along string 450 to measure, record, and store: (i) pressures in an annulus 209 between string 450 and casing 203 (via pressure sensors 130 in pockets 110′), (ii) temperatures in annulus 209 (via temperature sensors 130 in pockets 110′), and (ii) pressures in the throughbore 404 (via pressure sensors 130 in pockets 110″). When string 450 is pulled to the surface, sensors 130 are removed from pockets 110, and the pressure and temperature measurements recorded and stored in sensors 130 during the production operation are downloaded and analyzed. Due to the distribution of subs 400 along string 450 and the ability of sensors 130 to measure pressures and temperatures in the annulus 209, as well as measure pressures in throughbore 404, the data from sensors 130 can be used to determine the pressure profile along annulus 209 and along throughbore 404 during production, and the temperature profile along annulus 209 during production.
As previously described, the pressure and temperature profiles along a wellbore can provide valuable insight as to the production of the wellbore. For example, such information can aid in the identification and location of loss circulation zones, thief zones, and sink zones where fluids keep recirculating and thereby reduce the cross-sectional area available for fluid flow. In addition, the pressure and temperature profiles along the wellbore can also aid in the identification of stages that are producing and stages that are not producing (or are insufficiently producing) along with the type of fluid entry. Further, in artificial lift production operations, comparison of the pressure profiles in the annulus and the inside of the production string can be used to (i) determine the efficiency of the lift mechanism, and subsequently, optimize the lift mechanism employed, and potentially predict problems associated with artificial lift including failures. In drilling operations, one important parameter for downhole tools like motors and bits is the pressure drop across the tool. Thus, the pressure and temperature profiles along a wellbore offer the potential to quantify such pressure drops, thereby enabling engineers to further optimize the geometry to flowing areas to achieve optimal tool/bit performance. Yet another advantage of having the pressure and temperature profiles along a lateral wellbore is to understand the impact of offset hydraulic fracture stimulations, for instance when horizontal wellbores are drill parallel to each other and one wellbore is completed first, having the second one instrumented with the pods to understand depth at which hydraulic fracture communicates between wellbores.
Referring now to
As will be described in more detail below, pod 500 is designed to be deployed in a wellbore and remain positioned downhole in the presence of the flow of production fluids to the surface. To reduce the likelihood of pod 500 being carried to the surface with the production fluids, pod 500 is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the flow of production fluids and has a hydrodynamic geometry that presents a relatively small projected area to the flow of production fluids. In particular, as best shown in
Pocket 504 is sized to receive and hold sensors 130. In particular, pocket 504 is an elongate cylindrical bore having a diameter D504 defined by inner surface 503. The diameter D504 of pocket 504 is preferably equal to or greater than the outer diameter of each sensor 130 and less than twice the diameter of each sensor 130. This geometry allows sensors 130 to be advanced into pocket one at a time, while preventing sensors 130 from moving past one another within pocket 504. In the embodiment shown in
Ports 506 provides fluid communication between the environment outside housing 501 and pocket 504, thereby enabling sensors 130 to measure pressures and/or temperatures outside housing 501 proximal ports 506. In this embodiment, each port 506 has a diameter or maximum width W506 that is less than the diameter of each sensor 130 to ensure that no sensor 130 can exit pocket 504 through a port 506.
Sensors 130 are each as previously described. In general, each sensor 130 can be a pressure and/or temperature sensor that measures the pressure and/or temperature within pocket 504, and records and stores the pressure and/or temperature measurements. Since pocket 504 is in fluid communication with the environment immediately outside body 507 via ports 506, the pressures and/or temperatures measured and recorded by sensors 130 in pocket 504 are indicative (i.e., the same or substantially the same) of the pressures and/or temperatures immediately outside body 507 adjacent ports 506.
Although each sensor 130 can be a pressure and/or temperature sensor, in the embodiment shown in
Referring still to
In general, one or more pods 500 can be deployed downhole and used in any downhole operation to measure, record, and store pressure and temperatures over a period of time. For examples, pods 500 can be used in drilling operations (e.g., disposed along a drillstring or in a bottomhole assembly), perforating operations (e.g., deployed on wireline with a perforating assembly or gun), production operations (e.g., disposed along casing or a production string), etc.
Referring now to
Referring first to
Referring now to
At the surface, the pressure and temperature measurements recorded and stored in sensors 130 during the production operation are downloaded and analyzed. Due to the distribution of pods 500 along wellbore 200 and the ability of sensors 130 to measure pressures and temperatures in wellbore 200, the data from sensors 130 can be used to determine the pressure and temperature profile along wellbore 200 during production. As previously described, the pressure and temperature profiles along a wellbore can provide valuable insight as to the production of the wellbore. For example, such information can aid in the identification and location of loss circulation zones and aid in the identification of stages that are producing and stages that are not producing (or are insufficiently producing). Further, in artificial lift production operations, comparison of the pressure profiles in the annulus and the inside of the production string can be used to determine the efficiency of the lift mechanism, and subsequently, optimize the lift mechanism employed.
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/132,881 filed Dec. 23, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/906,406 filed Feb. 27, 2018, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/465,690 filed Mar. 1, 2017, and entitled “Completion and Productions Apparatus and Methods Employing Pressure and/or Temperature Tracers,” which are each hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62465690 | Mar 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 17132881 | Dec 2020 | US |
Child | 17869606 | US | |
Parent | 15906406 | Feb 2018 | US |
Child | 17132881 | US |