U.S. patent application number 11/133508 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for sonde.
Invention is credited to Haheim, Svein, Jaques, Paul S., Jones, Robert Hughes, Wason, Will.
Application Number | 20050252652 11/133508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9922571 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haheim, Svein ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Sonde
Abstract
A sonde deploys a sensor against a well casing. The sonde has an
expandable and/or resilient C-shaped member and at least one
sensor. The C-shaped member has an annular configuration with a
single gap that defines two ends facing each other. The member is
compressible, and once compressed, its ends close together. A
device releasably compresses the C-shaped member so as to allow
positioning of the sonde inside the well and subsequent
deployment.
Inventors: |
Haheim, Svein; (Oslo,
NO) ; Jaques, Paul S.; (St. Ives, GB) ; Jones,
Robert Hughes; (Falmouth, GB) ; Wason, Will;
(Penzance, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James E. Bradley
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
P.O. Box 61389
Houston
TX
77208-1389
US
|
Family ID: |
9922571 |
Appl. No.: |
11/133508 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11133508 |
May 20, 2005 |
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10416565 |
May 12, 2003 |
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10416565 |
May 12, 2003 |
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PCT/GB02/04317 |
Sep 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 1/52 20130101; G01V
11/005 20130101; E21B 23/04 20130101; E21B 47/01 20130101; Y10S
367/911 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/066 |
International
Class: |
E21B 029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 24, 2001 |
GB |
0122929.3 |
Claims
1.-19. (canceled)
20. A sonde comprising an expandable and/or resilient C-shaped
member and at least one sensor, the member having an annular
configuration with a single gap that defines two ends facing each
other, the member being compressible, or having been compressed, to
bring its ends closer together.
21. A sonde according to claim 20, wherein the sonde is for
installation in or installed in a well casing and wherein the said
C-shaped member is clampable or clamped against the inner wall of
the well casing.
22. A sonde according to claim 20, wherein the or each sensor
comprises a seismic or microseismic sensor.
23. An apparatus for deploying a sensor against a well casing, said
apparatus comprising: a sonde, adapted to be lowered into a well,
the sonde comprising a split annular member and at least one sensor
mounted thereto, the annular member being resilient and radially
movable between a contracted and an expanded position; and a tool
for releasably retaining the annular member in the contracted
position so as to allow positioning of the sonde inside the well
and subsequent deployment.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to sondes, such as seismic or
microseismic sondes.
[0002] Systems for permanently installing a sonde against an inner
wall of a pipe, such as the casing of a fluid extraction well, are
known. Such systems are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,092,423, 5,181,565, 5,200,581, 5,111,903, 6,289,985 and
6,173,804. The first four patents describe arrangements in which
the sonde is moved from a retracted position in a carrier to a
position pressing against the wall but in all cases the sonde
remains mechanically coupled to the carrier. The latter patent
describes a system that includes a flexible element carrying a
sonde, which element is restrained in a compressed state to allow
the assembly to be lowered into a well casing. When the assembly
has been positioned in the well as required, the flexible,
resilient element is allowed to expand by the release of a locking
mechanism that holds the element in its compressed state. At the
same time, mechanical isolation is provided of the flexible
element, and thus the sonde. The method of releasing the lock is to
apply an overpressure within the well casing pipe, which operates a
hydraulic ram to release it. This method of instigating the
installation of this mechanical clamping of the sonde to the well
casing has a number of disadvantages. Pressurising the space
between the production tubing and the well casing is not a process
preferred by production well installers. Other devices, such as
packers, may also be installed, and modern practice is to `inflate`
such devices by means of pressurising the production tubing itself,
and thus hydraulically connecting the packer setting mechanism to
the production tubing, or to provide a separate hydraulic supply to
`inflate` them. Furthermore, this method of deploying a sonde to a
well casing uses a mechanism to effect the release of the
compressed flexible element in a switch-like action. Thus, there is
no control of the placing of the sonde to the casing after release,
thus imparting excessive shock to the sonde.
[0003] According to the present invention from one aspect, there is
provided a sonde comprising an expandable and/or resilient C-shaped
member and at least one sensor, the member being compressible, or
having been compressed, to bring its ends closer together.
[0004] According to the present invention from another aspect there
is provided an apparatus for deploying a sensor against a well
casing, said apparatus comprising:
[0005] a) a sonde according to the first aspect of the present
invention,
[0006] b) means for supporting and locating the sonde inside the
well prior to deployment; and
[0007] c) means for releasably compressing the C-shaped member so
as to allow positioning of the sonde inside the well and subsequent
deployment.
[0008] According to the present invention from another aspect there
is provided an installation for a well comprising:
[0009] a) a sonde according to the first aspect of the present
invention, said sonde being for deployment or deployed against the
inner wall of the well casing;
[0010] b) supporting means positioned inside the well for
supporting the sonde when not deployed; and
[0011] c) means for releasably compressing the C-shaped member so
as to allow deployment and/or retrieval of the sonde.
[0012] According to the present invention from another aspect there
is provided a method of deploying a sonde against a well casing,
said method comprising:
[0013] a) providing a sonde according to the first aspect of the
present invention;
[0014] b) compressing the C-shaped member;
[0015] c) positioning the sonde at the desired location inside the
well; and
[0016] d) releasing the C-shaped member thereby securing the sonde
in place.
[0017] Examples of the invention utilise a sonde, in the form of an
expandable "C"-shaped ring clamp, which lends itself to a method
wherein the sonde is inserted into a production well by compressing
the sonde about a length of production tubing or other carrier, and
whereby deployment and mechanical isolation of the sonde from the
carrier can then easily be achieved simply by releasing the
compressing mechanism. Preferred examples of the invention utilise
the pressure applied to production tubing for the installation of
other devices, such as packers, or utilise an existing hydraulic
supply, typically one used for installation only, within a
production well, to effect clamping of a sonde to the well
casing.
[0018] By utilising such convenient hydraulic sources, in
combination with a suitable deployment mechanism, the sonde can be
deployed under control to avoid the mechanical shock that can
result from the use of some existing systems.
[0019] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:--
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates, diagrammatically and not to scale, a
mechanism for clamping a sonde to a well casing, in a `loaded`
state, prior to clamping,
[0021] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate alternatives to what is shown in
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a clamping ling, housing seismic sensors
and forming a sonde;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the mechanism of FIG. 1 deployed to the casing
wall;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a C-shaped sonde according to a
further embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 7 in
the direction shown;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a front view of an apparatus for deploying the
sonde of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 9
in the direction shown;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line Y-Y of FIG. 9
in the direction shown;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a front view of a sleeve forming part of the
apparatus of FIG. 9; and
[0030] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line W-W of FIG. 12
in the direction shown.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, well fluid production tubing 1 lies
within a well casing 2. A clamping mechanism assembly comprises a
cylinder 3 with hydraulic or gas rams 4, integral with an upper
taper-ended cylinder 5, with ram output shafts 6 being connected to
a lower taper-ended cylinder 7, the cylinders 5 and 7 retaining an
expandable, resilient `C`-shaped clamp ring 8 about tubing 1. Each
ram 4 is a bore in the cylinder 5 with a piston 11 connected to the
respective output shaft 6. The cylinders 5 and 7 each retains a
respective circlip 17, the circlips 17 being fitted in grooves in
the cylinder 3 in a compressed state. Each of the rams 4 is fed
with either hydraulic fluid or gas from a pressurised source to
operate the clamping mechanism.
[0032] In the illustration shown as FIG. 1, the hydraulic fluid or
gas source that is pressurised to operate the clamping mechanism is
supplied via pipes 9 from the production tubing 1.
[0033] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic fluid or
gas source may be the same one that feeds packers in the well,
which are pressurised at installation to pump up their
circumferential expandable sections to seal them to the well
casing. In FIG. 2, a packer 10 is connected hydraulically (or via
gas) to the production tubing 1 running through its centre, via an
orifice (not shown) in the tubing wall internal to the packer,
there being a tapping from the packer 10 to the pipes 9 to feed the
rams 4.
[0034] As a further alternative, as shown in FIG. 3, the clamping
mechanism may be operated by a separate hydraulic or gas feed via
pipe 12, pressurised at installation.
[0035] As another alternative, as shown in FIG. 4, the packer 10
may be `inflated` by a separate hydraulic or gas feed via pipe 13
which is tapped to feed the clamping mechanism via pipes 9.
[0036] Since the mode of operation is identical for all hydraulic
or gas feed supply methods as per the above, FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 will
be used to describe further details of the operation of the
clamping mechanism of each of the above examples.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows `C`-shaped ring clamp 8, i.e. the sonde, in its
expanded state. The ring clamp 8 houses as many seismic (e.g.
microseismic) sensors 14, as are required to form the sonde and
each circumferential end of the ring is tapered as shown at 15.
This ring 8 is held in a compressed state by the tapered ends of
the cylinders 5 and 7 which are forced together by compression
springs 18 acting between the ends of the cylinders 5 and 7 and
rings 19 attached to the ends of the cylinder 3.
[0038] The process of installation of the sonde is as
follows:--
[0039] The clamping mechanism is `loaded` by compressing the
`C`-shaped ring clamp 8 to bring its ends closer together, and
holding it in this compressed state between the taper-ended
cylinders 5 and 7. At the same time, the circlips 17 are also held
in the compressed state by the cylinders 5 and 7. The `loaded`
clamping mechanism is lowered, along with other items that may also
be installed at the same time, such as packers, down the well with
the production tubing 1 passing through the centre, until it is in
the required position as shown in FIG. 1. Hydraulic or gas pressure
is then applied, whereupon the hydraulic rams 4 force the cylinders
5 and 7 apart, against the further compression of the springs 18.
This releases the `C`-shaped ring clamp 8, housing the seismic
sensors and making up the sonde, which thus expands to grip tightly
the inside of the well casing 2. The forcing apart of the cylinders
5 and 7 also results in the release of the circlips 17. Release of
the circlips 17 prevents the cylinders 5 and 7 being forced back
together if the source hydraulic or gas pressure is removed after
installation. This deployed state is illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0040] A gradual increase of the source pressure will cause the
rams 4 to move the cylinders 5 and 7 slowly. As the ends of the
clamp ring 8 and the cylinders 5 and 7 are tapered/chamfered, the
slow movement of the cylinders 5 and 7 will allow the clamp ring 8
to expand slowly until it mates with the inner surface of the well
casing 2. Thus, the deployment of the sonde is gentle and under
control through the control of the pressure rise of the hydraulic
or gas source, thus avoiding mechanical shock. The sonde is thus
secured to the well casing and is also mechanically isolated from
the production tubing.
[0041] At the same time as this deployment takes place, the rest of
the packers if fitted and powered by the same source, are
deployed.
[0042] During the deployment of the sonde (or sondes) its or their
angular position(s) around the production tubing 1 may need to be
adjusted. Thus, the pipes 9 (or pipes 9 and 12) may need to include
a flexible element and the clamping mechanism will need to
incorporate features in its design such as landing nipples, to
allow the use of orientation tools, and orientation gauges, to
effect adjustment of the rotation angle prior to deployment. Such
features depend on the detail of the design and are thus not shown
in the figures.
[0043] The above examples provide a method of deployment of the
clamping mechanism that is intended to be permanent. However, a
further advantage of the `chamfered edge` feature of the invention
is that removal of the clamping mechanism after deployment is
possible. This is particularly useful if the clamping mechanism is
deployed accidentally or in an incorrect position during
installation. Referring to FIG. 6, removal of the clamping
mechanism can be effected by simply moving the tubing 1 which
causes the cylinders 5 and 7 to drag the sonde along the casing.
Thus, the clamping mechanism, complete with the clamp ring 8
forming the sonde can be removed, be it somewhat forcibly.
[0044] In addition to or as an alternative to using fluid pressure
to set the clamping mechanism, there is the possibility of using a
wireline tool to set the mechanism This may be required if for some
reason it was not possible to pressurise the tubing 1. The
procedure would be to deploy the or each clamping mechanism to its
correct position in the well and then run in a wireline tool
through the tubing that would engage in a special lock. Pulling the
wireline tool would release the lock and thus set the clamping
mechanism.
[0045] A further embodiment of a C-shaped sonde and an apparatus
for its deployment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7
to 13. This sonde 21 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, comprises an
expandable, resilient C-shaped spring member 22 carrying a sensor
vessel 23 at the end of one aim and a similarly sized dummy vessel
24 at the end of the other arm. Each of the vessels 23 and 24 is
fitted into a respective vessel saddle 25, 26, through which they
are attached to the ends of the C-spring member 22. Each vessel
saddle is also fitted with an anchor 27, 28 positioned on the
opposite side of the saddle from that attached to the C-spring
member 22. The overall diameter of the sonde is such that
compression of the C-spring member, by pressing the ends of the
spring member towards one another, is required before the sonde can
be inserted into a well casing in which it is to be deployed.
[0046] The sensor vessel 23 comprises four seismic sensors (not
shown) housed in a cylindrical aluminium pod with the sensor axes
aligned at 109.47 degrees to each other. The pod is in turn
inserted into a cylindrical steel pressure vessel 29, the open end
of which is fitted with a cap 30. Wires from the sensors are
routed, along grooves machined in the outside of the pod, into the
cap 30, and out through a high pressure tubing connection 31. The
dummy vessel 24 contains no sensors and is attached to the C-spring
member only for balance and symmetry.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the apparatus for deploying
the sonde comprises a length of production well tubing 32,
typically 1500 mm in length and male threaded at both ends for
insertion into the production tubing of a well and, which is
provided with a sonde securing and deployment mechanism. This
mechanism comprises a sonde supporting sleeve 33 that is rotatably
mounted on the production tubing, and a sonde locking peg 34 driven
by a piston 36 of a hydraulic cylinder 35 mounted on the production
tubing 32 above the supporting sleeve 33. The locking peg 34 is
forked at the end, with two tapered prongs, and is guidingly linked
to the supporting sleeve 33 by means of a cam pin 37 on the peg 34
which pin 37 fits into a cam groove 38 machined on the outer
surface of the sleeve 33.
[0048] The supporting sleeve 33 is shown in greater detail in FIGS.
12 and 13, and, as can be seen in these figures, in addition to the
cam groove 38 the sonde supporting sleeve 33 is provided with a
pair of lower lugs 39 and upper lugs 40 for supporting the sonde.
The bottom end of the cam groove is closed and is positioned
between and just above the upper pair of lugs. From there, the
groove extends upwards, initially vertically and then curving off
to the side and up. The upper end of the groove is open.
[0049] Referring again to FIGS. 9 and 10, in order to secure the
sonde 21 to the length of production tubing 32 the sonde is
positioned around the supporting sleeve 33 with the piston 36 fully
extended such that the forked end of the locking peg 34 clamps the
sonde anchors 27, 28 together, thereby compressing the C-spring
member 22 around the supporting sleeve. In this position, the cam
pin 37 of the locking peg 34 is at the bottom end of the cam groove
38 in the supporting sleeve, with the effect that the upper and
lower pairs of lugs 39, 40 on the sleeve are positioned
respectively above and below the sensor and dummy vessels 25 and
26. The sonde is thus firmly held against both lateral and
rotational movement relative to the length of production tubing
32.
[0050] Having secured the sonde 21 to and about the length of
production tubing 32, the sonde and tubing assembly can then be
inserted into a well casing 42, with the overall diameter of the
compressed C-spring sonde being less than that of the well casing
as shown in FIG. 11. Once inserted into the well casing, signals
from the sonde sensors are relayed to the surface via a junction
box 41 mounted on the production tubing and to which the leads
within the high pressure tubing 31 from the sensor vessel 23 are
connected.
[0051] Having positioned the sonde 21 and production tubing 32
assembly inside the well casing, deployment of the sonde 21 is
effected by pressurising the hydraulic cylinder 35 such that the
piston 36 and locking peg 34 are retracted. As the locking peg 34
retracts, the tapering of the peg prongs ensures that the clamping
effect of the peg on the sonde anchors 27, 28 is gradually
released. Thus, by controlling the speed at which the piston is
retracted, the rate of expansion of the C-spring member 22 can be
controlled, in order to prevent the sonde striking the well casing
42 with excessive force.
[0052] By the time the cam pin 37 on the locking peg 34 reaches the
beginning of the sidewardly curved section in the cam groove 38 the
locking peg has fully released the sonde anchors 37, 38, such that
the now expanded C-spring member 22 firmly clamps the sonde 21 in
place against the inner wall of the well casing 42. As the peg 34
continues to retract, the movement of the cam pin 37 along the
curved section of the cam groove 38 causes the supporting sleeve 33
to rotate about the production tubing 32, which in turn brings the
upper and lower pairs of lugs 39, 40 out of contact with the sensor
and dummy vessels 23, 24. Complete mechanical isolation of the
sonde from the production tubing is thereby achieved.
* * * * *