Claims
- 1. 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) selecting at least one flowable discrete device constituting a data carrier that is adapted to be moved in the weilbore at least in part by the working fluid; (b) introducing the 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 two-way data exchange with the at least one flowable discrete 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 duo 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 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; (iv) inferred by a change of a state associated with the at least one flowable device.
- 5. The method of claim 4 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.
- 6. The method according to claim 5 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. a separate wellbore; C. at the surface; and D. in an injection well.
- 7. 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 byte 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; and (iv) a device whose movement in the working fluid is aided by the gravitational field.
- 8. 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.
- 9. 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 chilling 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.
- 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising recovering said at least one flowable device.
- 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said introducing the at least one flowable device includes introducing a plurality of flowable devices each such flowable device adapted to perform at least one task.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said introducing of a plurality of flowable devices comprises one of (i) timed release; (ii) time independent release; (iii) on demand release; and (iv) event initiated release.
- 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a unique address (identification) to the at least one-flowable device.
- 14. The method of claim 1 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.
- 15. 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.
- 16. The method of claim 1 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.
- 17. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that comprises:(i) a sensor for providing a measurement representative of a parameter of interest; (ii) a memory for storing data relating at least in part to the parameter of interest; (iii) a source of power for supplying power to a component of said flowable device; and (iv) a controller for determining data to be carried by said memory.
- 18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising providing a transmitter for the at least one flowable device for effecting data exchange with the flowable device.
- 19. The method of claim 18, wherein effecting the data exchange comprises communicating with said at least one flowable device by a method selected from a group consisting of: A. electromagnetic radiation; B. optical signals; and C. acoustic signals.
- 20. The method of claim 1 wherein further comprising using the data exchange device for communicating with a device in at least one other wellbore.
- 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the at least one other wellbore is a lateral wellbore from said wellbore.
- 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising operating a device in said at least one other wellbore in response to the received communication.
- 23. A wellbore system utilizing at least one flowable device in a wellbore constituting a data carrier that is adapted to be moved by a fluid flowing in the wellbore comprising:(a) a forward fluid flow path associated with the wellbore for moving the at least one flowable device from a first location of introduction of the at least one flowable device into the forward fluid path to a second location of interest; (b) a data exchange device at the second location of interest for effecting two-way data exchange with the at least one flowable device.
- 24. The wellbore system of claim 23 further comprising a return fluid flow path for moving the at least one flowable device from the second location of interest to a return destination.
- 25. The wellbore system of claim 24, wherein the forward flow path is through a drill string utilized for drilling the wellbore and the return fluid flow path is an annulus between the drill siring and the wellbore.
- 26. The wellbore system of claim 24, wherein (i) the forward fluid flow path comprises a first section of a u-tube extending from the first location to the second location of interest and (ii) the return path comprises a second section of the u-tube returning to the return destination.
- 27. The wellbore system of claim 24 further comprising a control unit for processing data contained in the flowable device returning to the destination.
- 28. The wellbore system of claim 23, wherein the first location of introduction and the return destination are at the surface.
- 29. The wellbore system of claim 23, wherein the second location of interest is in the wellbore and the data exchange device is located proximate said second location of interest.
- 30. The wellbore system of claim 23 further comprising a controller for performing an operation that is one of (i) retrieving information from the at least one flowable device from the data exchange device, or (ii) causing the data exchange devices to induce a particular information onto the at least one flowable device.
- 31. The wellbore system of claim 30, wherein the controller performs at least one operation in response to the data retrieval from the at least one flowable device.
- 32. 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:(a) 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, said at least one flowable device having a unique address (identification) identifying said flowable device and independent of a position of said at least one flowable device in the wellbore; (b) 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 (c) providing a data exchange device in the fluid flow path for effecting data exchange with the at least one flowable device.
- 33. The method of claim 32, 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.
- 34. The method of claim 32, 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.
- 35. The method of claim 32, 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.
- 36. The method of claim 32, 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.
- 37. The method of claim 32, wherein said at least one flowable device comprises a plurality of flowable devices and said introducing of a plurality of flowable devices comprises one of (i) timed release; (ii) time independent release; (iii) on demand release; and (iv) event initiated release.
- 38. The method of claim 32, wherein introducing said at least one flowable device comprises delivering a plurality of flowable devices into fluid circulating in the weilbore 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.
- 39. The method of claim 32 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.
- 40. A wellbore system utilizing at least one flowable device having a unique address (identification) in a wellbore constituting a data carrier that is adapted to be moved by a fluid flowing in the wellbore comprising:(a) a forward fluid flow path associated with the wellbore for moving the at least one flowable device from a first location of introduction of the at least one flowable device into the forward fluid path to a second location of interest; (b) a data exchange device at the second location of interest for effecting data exchange with the at least one flowable device that is one of (i) retrieving information carried by the at least one flowable device; or (ii) inducing selected information on the at least one flowable device wherein said address of the flowable device is unique to the device and is independent of its position in the wellbore.
- 41. The wellbore system of claim 40 further comprising a return fluid flow path for moving the at least one flowable device from the second location of interest to a return destination.
- 42. The wellbore system of claim 40, wherein the first location of introduction and the return destination are at the surface.
- 43. The wellbore system of claim 40, wherein the forward flow path is through a drill string utilized for drilling the wellbore and the return fluid flow path is an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore.
- 44. The wellbore system of claim 40 further comprising a controller for performing an operation that is one of (i) retrieving information from the at least one flowable device from the data exchange device, or (ii) causing the data exchange devices to induce a particular information onto the at least one flowable device.
- 45. The wellbore system of claim 44, wherein the controller performs at least one operation in response to the data retrieval from the at least one flowable device.
- 46. A method for utilizing flowable devices in a wellbore, the method comprising:(a) providing at least one flowable device into a drilling tubular in the wellbore; (b) providing a data exchange device at a downhole location for providing data exchange with the at least one flowable device; and (c) using a drilling fluid in the drilling tubular for flowing said at least one flowable device to a downhole location and performing a function selected from (i) providing information to a downhole controller, and, (ii) retrieving information from a downhole device.
- 47. The method of claim 46, 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.
- 48. The method of claim 46, said function comprises making a measurement of a parameter of interest and wherein said selecting the at least one flowable device comprises selecting a device that provides a measurement 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) physical dimension; and (xi) deposition of a particular matter in a fluid.
- 49. The method of claim 46, 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; (iv) inferred by a change of a state associated with the at least one flowable device.
- 50. The method of claim 46, 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.
- 51. The method of claim 46 further comprising recovering said at least one flowable device.
- 52. The method of claim 46, wherein the at least one flowable device further comprises a plurality of flowable devices, each such flowable device adapted to perform at least one task.
- 53. The method of claim 52, further comprising providing the plurality of flowable devices in a manner that is one of: (i) timed release, (ii) time independent release, (iii) on demand release, and (iv) event initiated release.
- 54. The method of claim 52 further comprising providing the plurality of flowable devices at time intervals such that sonic of said plurality of flowable devices remain in the wellbore at any given time, thereby forming a network of devices in the wellbore.
- 55. The method of claim 54 wherein at least one of the plurality of devices remaining in the wellbore communicates with at least one other of the plurality of devices remaining in the wellbore.
- 56. The method of claim 46 further comprising providing a unique address (identification) to the at least one flowable device.
- 57. The method of claim 46 further comprising providing a data communication device in the wellbore for communicating with the at least one flowable device.
- 58. The method of claim 46 further comprising causing the data communication device to transmit a signal confirming said data exchange.
- 59. The method of claim 46 further comprising implanting a plurality of spaced apart flowable devices in said wellbore during drilling of said wellbore.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/578,623 filed on May 25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,228, claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 60/136,656 filed May 28, 1999, and 60/147,427 filed Aug. 5, 1999, each assigned to the assignee of this application.
US Referenced Citations (19)
Provisional Applications (2)
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Date |
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60/136656 |
May 1999 |
US |
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60/147427 |
Aug 1999 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
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09/578623 |
May 2000 |
US |
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10/207554 |
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