1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data transmission in a wellbore. More particularly, the invention relates to an expandable tubular antenna feed line for electromagnetic communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the production of an oil well it is important to maintain knowledge of the reservoir pressure in order to maximize the production from the field. For this reason, sensors are installed in the well on completion to provide this data. Unfortunately, over the lifetime of a given well it is highly likely the original sensor will fail, leaving the operator without information. In recent times various groups have begun working on replacement sensors that are wireless in order to avoid the huge costs of re-completion. For instance, a wireless sensor may be placed in a wellbore casing at an appropriate location. On activation, the wireless sensor sends an electromagnetic (“E/M”) signal through the earth-to-surface receiver, thus bringing the sensor's data to a point where it can be recovered by the user.
In order to impart an E/M signal, it is necessary to inject time varying current into the earth through the well casing over distances of many meters. A conventional E/M device 50 is illustrated in
This invention generally relates to data transmission in a wellbore. In one aspect, a system for communicating electromagnetic waves in a wellbore is provided. The system includes a sensor equipment package for sensing a parameter in the wellbore and generating an electromagnetic wave. The system further includes an expandable composite tubular having a conducting member and an insulating member. The composite tubular is configured to be expanded from a first diameter to a second larger diameter, wherein a portion of the composite tubular in the second larger diameter is used as current injection points for the electromagnetic wave generated by the sensor equipment package.
In another aspect, a method of using a system for communicating electromagnetic waves in a wellbore is provided. The method includes the step of positioning a composite tubular in the wellbore. The method further includes the step of expanding the composite tubular from a first diameter to a second larger diameter such that the composite tubular engages the wellbore. The method also includes the step of coupling a sensor equipment package to the composite tubular. Furthermore, the method includes the step of sensing a parameter in the wellbore. Additionally, the method includes the step of generating an electromagnetic wave that is transmitted through current injection points in the expanded composite tubular.
In a further aspect, a system for providing electrode contact surfaces between a sensor equipment package and a surrounding tubular disposed in a wellbore is provided. The system includes a conducting tubular. The system further includes an insulating tubular bonded to the conducting tubular. The conducting tubular is disposed within the insulating tubular such that a portion of the conducting tubular extends from an end of the insulating tubular at one end and a portion of the insulating tubular extends from the conducting tubular at an opposite end. Additionally, the system includes an electrode ring disposed adjacent the portion of the insulating tubular that extends from the conducting tubular. The tubulars and the electrode ring are configured to be expanded from a first diameter to a second larger diameter to form electrode contact surfaces that are used between the sensor equipment package and the surrounding tubular.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The present invention generally relates to an expandable tubular antenna feed line for electromagnetic communication. The present invention is designed to create a wireless “antenna” system in the well to enable E/M data communication to the surface. The invention makes use of expandable tubular technology to make remote electrical contact with a casing in a wellbore without occupying much of the cross-sectional area of the well. To better understand the novelty of the E/M communication device of the present invention and the methods of use thereof, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying drawings.
The composite tubular 105 and an expansion device 80 may be lowered into the tubing 20 via a work string 75. In one embodiment, the composite tubular 105 is attached to the expansion device 80 by a shearable connection (not shown). After the composite tubular 105 is positioned within the tubing 20, the shearable connection may be released and the expansion device 80 may move relative to the composite tubular 105. The expansion device 80 may be urged through the composite tubular 105 to enlarge the composite tubular 105 from a first diameter (
As shown in
At the points where the conducting member 110 and the electrode band 130 contact the wall of the tubing 20, there may be placed sharp slip-like grooves (not shown) to insure the contact with the tubing 20 is of low resistance. Such grooves or slips are configured to cut into the surface of the wall of the tubing 20 to expose good metal below any corrosion or dirt which may be present. Additionally, in one embodiment, the conducting member 110 and electrode band 130 (and the grooves or slips) are plated with gold to reduce corrosion while disposed in the wellbore.
Once the composite tubular 105 is installed and expanded in the wellbore, the sensor equipment package 125 can be lowered into the well. Once the sensor equipment package 125 is located within the composite tubular 105, slips 135, 140 (or deployable contacts) are activated to engage the conducting portions of the expanded composite tubular 105, contacting the upstream electrode band 130 and the conducting member 110. The slip arrangement gives an E/M generator (not shown) within the sensor equipment package 125 access to current injection points at the distal ends of the expanded composite tubular 105.
In another aspect, the setting tool used to deliver the instrument package or the instrument package itself could also serve as the expansion device for the composite tubular. In this manner the entire system could be installed in a well in a single pass as set forth herein, and the instrument package would reside at the downstream end of the composite tubular after installation, which is the reverse of what is shown in
In a further aspect, the composite tubular is a pre-assembled composite of insulating outer material and conducting inner shell. The insulating material is chosen for properties that will insure complete insulating coverage after expansion of the inner shell. The invention also provides for penetrating ridges imbedded in the conductor at the distal end to insure low resistivity contact is made on expansion.
In an additional aspect, a system and method of providing an insulated feed line allows remote placement of a current injection point. The invention is for the placement of current injection electrodes for creating E/M signals in the earth adjacent to a borehole. The invention may however be used to provide an insulated pathway along a borehole for any purpose.
In a further aspect, the object of this invention is to provide an alternative method of creating injection points along the production tubing, thereby shortening the overall equipment package and reducing the resistance to flow.
Although the descriptions above contain many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this present invention. Further, it should be understood that the invention is not to be unduly limited to the foregoing which has been set forth for illustrative purposes. Various modifications and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the true scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US11/51816 | 9/15/2011 | WO | 00 | 5/22/2013 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61382966 | Sep 2010 | US |