U.S. patent application number 13/991492 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for wireless communication between tools.
This patent application is currently assigned to WELLTEC A/S. The applicant listed for this patent is Jorgen Hallundb.ae butted.k. Invention is credited to Jorgen Hallundb.ae butted.k.
Application Number | 20130257629 13/991492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43919838 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130257629 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hallundb.ae butted.k;
Jorgen |
October 3, 2013 |
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TOOLS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a downhole tool system for
being submerged into a casing, comprising at least three tools
having a tool axis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a
downhole tool system for being submerged into a casing, comprising
at least three tools, and finally the invention relates to
communication methods for communicating wirelessly between a first
and a third tool separated by a second tool.
Inventors: |
Hallundb.ae butted.k; Jorgen;
(Graested, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hallundb.ae butted.k; Jorgen |
Graested |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
WELLTEC A/S
Allerod
DK
|
Family ID: |
43919838 |
Appl. No.: |
13/991492 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 9, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/072300 |
371 Date: |
June 4, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/854.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/14 20130101;
E21B 47/13 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/854.6 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/12 20060101
E21B047/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2010 |
EP |
10194466.8 |
Claims
1. A downhole tool system (100) for being submerged into a casing
(10), comprising at least three tools having a tool axis: a first
tool (1) having a first (11) and a second end (12) and comprising a
first communication device (13) arranged at the second end, a
second tool (2) having a first end (21), which is connected with
the second end of the first tool, and a second end (22), the second
tool comprising a housing (23), and a third tool (3) comprising a
second communication device (33) and a first end (31), the first
end of the third tool being connected with the second end of the
second tool, the first and second communication devices comprising
an antenna for communicating with each other by sending and
receiving radio waves.
2. A downhole tool system according to claim 1, wherein the
antennas transmit radio waves having a wavelength which is lower
than 200 m, preferably lower than 1 m, more preferably lower than
10 cm, even more preferably lower than 2.5 cm.
3. A downhole tool system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
antenna comprises one or more ferrite rods.
4. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the antenna is wound around one or more ferrite rods.
5. A downhole tool system according to any of claims 3-4, wherein
the ferrite rods extend parallel to the tool axis.
6. A downhole tool system according to any of claims 3-5, wherein
the ferrite rods are arranged in a circular loop.
7. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)
modulation is used for transmitting encoding digital data on
multiple carrier frequencies between the antennas.
8. A downhole tool system according to any of claims 3-7, wherein
the antenna sends and receives at different frequencies with one
frequency for each rod.
9. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.
10. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the antenna is a small loop antenna.
11. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the antenna is a loop stick antenna.
12. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the waves are transmitted at a frequency of
520-1610 kHz.
13. A downhole tool system (100) for being submerged into a casing
(10), comprising at least three tools: a first tool (1) having a
first (11) and a second end (12) and comprising a first
communication device (13) arranged at the second end, a second tool
(2) having a first end (21), which is connected with the second end
of the first tool, and a second end (22), the second tool
comprising a housing (23), and a third tool (3) comprising a second
communication device (33) arranged at a first end (31), the first
end of the third tool being connected with the second end of the
second tool, the first and second communication devices being a
first and a second acoustic device, respectively, wherein the
second tool is arranged between the first tool and the third tool,
and the first acoustic device arranged at the first end of the
second tool sends and receives acoustic signals to and from the
second acoustic device which is arranged at the first end of the
third tool.
14. A downhole tool system according to claim 13, wherein the first
and second acoustic devices comprise means (4) for converting data
parameters into electric signals and transducers (5) for receiving
the electrical signals and generating acoustic signals propagating
along the housing of the second tool.
15. A downhole tool system according to claim 14, wherein the
transducers abut the ends of the second tool.
16. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the transducers of the first and second acoustic
devices face the second tool, causing the acoustic signals to
propagate axially along the housing of the second tool.
17. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the first and second communication devices are
antennas instead of acoustic devices, sending and receiving radio
waves.
18. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the third tool is a logging tool.
19. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the first tool comprises an electronic motor
(14).
20. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the first and/or second communication device(s)
comprise(s) a memory (6).
21. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the first and/or second communication device(s)
comprise(s) a processing unit (7) for processing data before
converting the data into acoustic signals.
22. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the transducer is a magnetostrictive
transducer.
23. A downhole tool system according to any of the preceding
claims, wherein the communication device comprises a battery
(8).
24. A downhole tool system according to any claims 13-23, wherein
the acoustic devices comprise mechanical or electronic filters
(9).
25. A communication method for communicating wirelessly between a
first and a third tool separated by a second tool, comprising the
steps of: connecting the first tool with the second tool, the first
tool comprising a first communication device having an antenna and
the second tool comprising a tool housing, connecting the third
tool with the second tool, the third tool comprising a second
communication device having an antenna, sending radio waves from
the first communication device to the second communication
device.
26. A communication method according to claim 25, further
comprising the step of using orthogonal frequency-division
multiplexing (OFDM) modulation for transmitting encoding digital
data on multiple carrier frequencies between the antennas.
27. A communication method for communicating wirelessly between a
first and a third tool separated by a second tool, comprising the
steps of: connecting the first tool with the second tool, the first
tool comprising a first acoustic device and the second tool
comprising a tool housing, connecting the third tool with the
second tool, the third tool comprising a second acoustic device,
sending acoustic signals from the first acoustic device to the
second acoustic device, the signals propagating along the housing
of the tool.
28. A communication method according to claim 27, further
comprising the step of converting data parameters into electric
signals.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a downhole tool system for
being submerged into a casing, comprising at least three tools
having a tool axis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a
downhole tool system for being submerged into a casing, comprising
at least three tools, and finally the invention relates to
communication methods for communicating wirelessly between a first
and a third tool separated by a second tool.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Communication between surface and a tool in a well via
acoustic signals in the well fluid is known. However, well fluid is
most often very inhomogeneous as it comprises mud, scales, both oil
and water, and gas bubbles. Therefore, the communication sometimes
fails.
[0003] Sometimes, two operators work together to perform a well
operation in the sense that a tool of one operator is arranged
between the tools of another operator. However, when this is the
case, communication between the tools of the other operator is
hindered as these tools are separated by the tool of the one
operator, through which communication is not possible. This is due
to the fact that the one operator uses a different communication
system than the other operator and that it is not possible to pull
wires through the intermediate tool.
[0004] Since prior art acoustic communication through well fluid
does not always function successfully, there is a need for an
alternative communication form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly
overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.
More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved tool
string enabling successful communication between two tools
separated by an intermediate tool.
[0006] The above objects, together with numerous other objects,
advantages, and features, which will become evident from the below
description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the
present invention by a downhole tool system for being submerged
into a casing, comprising at least three tools having a tool axis:
[0007] a first tool having a first and a second end and comprising
a first communication device arranged at the second end, [0008] a
second tool having a first end, which is connected with the second
end of the first tool, and a second end, the second tool comprising
a housing, and [0009] a third tool comprising a second
communication device and a first end, the first end of the third
tool being connected with the second end of the second tool, the
first and second communication devices comprising an antenna for
communicating with each other by sending and receiving radio
waves.
[0010] In an embodiment, the antennas may transmit radio waves
having a wavelength which is lower than 200 m, preferably lower
than 1 m, more preferably lower than 10 cm, even more preferably
lower than 2.5 cm.
[0011] Moreover, the antenna may comprise one or more ferrite
rods.
[0012] Further, the antenna may be wound around one or more ferrite
rods.
[0013] By having ferrite rods or even by the antenna being wound
around the ferrite rods, the inductance is increased without
increasing the size of the antenna substantially.
[0014] Said ferrite rods may extend parallel to the tool axis.
[0015] Also, the ferrite rods may be arranged in a circular
loop.
[0016] In an embodiment, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing
(OFDM) modulation may be used for transmitting encoding digital
data on multiple carrier frequencies between the antennas.
[0017] Furthermore, the antenna may send and receive at different
frequencies with one frequency for each rod.
[0018] In one embodiment, the antenna may be a loop antenna.
[0019] In another embodiment, the antenna may be a small loop
antenna.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, the antenna may be a loop stick
antenna.
[0021] Moreover, the waves may be transmitted at a frequency of
520-1610 kHz.
[0022] The present invention further relates to a downhole tool
system for being submerged into a casing, comprising at least three
tools: [0023] a first tool having a first and a second end and
comprising a first communication device arranged at the second end,
[0024] a second tool having a first end, which is connected with
the second end of the first tool, and a second end, the second tool
comprising a housing, and [0025] a third tool comprising a second
communication device arranged at a first end, the first end of the
third tool being connected with the second end of the second tool,
the first and second communication devices being a first and a
second acoustic device, respectively, wherein the second tool is
arranged between the first tool and the third tool, and the first
acoustic device arranged at the first end of the second tool sends
and receives acoustic signals to and from the second acoustic
device which is arranged at the first end of the third tool.
[0026] During a well operation, two operators may be forced to work
together in the sense that one operator provides one tool and the
other operator provides two tools, and the three tools are to be
connected into one tool string where the tool of the one operator
is arranged between the two tools of the second operator. In such a
situation, the second operator must be able to communicate from one
tool to the other through the intermediate tool. However, operators
often use different communication systems, and sometimes, the
second operator is not able to get communication cables into and
through the intermediate tool. Therefore, there is a need for a
tool system facilitating communication from one tool to another
through an intermediate tool.
[0027] The acoustic devices arranged at each end of the
intermediate tool are able to send acoustic signals propagating
along the housing of the intermediate and second tool. The housing
is often made of a solid material, increasing its transmitting
ability compared to the transmitting ability in the surrounding
well fluid which may be inhomogeneous and thereby be a poor
transmitting media compared to a metal housing.
[0028] The three tools are most often connected by means of
threaded connections providing a sufficiently firm connection for
transmitting acoustic signals from the first or third tool to the
second tool.
[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second
acoustic devices may comprise means for converting data parameters
into electric signals and transducers for receiving the electrical
signal and generating acoustic signals propagating along the
housing of the second tool.
[0030] Furthermore, the transducers may abut the ends of the second
tool.
[0031] Moreover, the transducers of the first and second acoustic
devices may face the second tool, causing the acoustic signals to
propagate axially along the housing of the second tool.
[0032] In another embodiment, the first and second communication
devices may be antennas instead of acoustic devices, sending and
receiving radio waves.
[0033] Moreover, the antennas may transmit signals having a
wavelength of 1-2 cm.
[0034] The third tool may be a logging tool.
[0035] Furthermore, the first tool may comprise an electronic
motor.
[0036] In addition, the first and/or second communication device(s)
may comprise a memory.
[0037] Also, the first and/or second communication device(s) may
comprise a processing unit for processing data before converting
the data into acoustic signals.
[0038] Moreover, the transducer may be a magnetostrictive
transducer.
[0039] Additionally, the acoustic devices may comprise
piezoelectric microphones.
[0040] Furthermore, the first tool may be connected with a
wireline.
[0041] Moreover, the first or third tool may comprise a driving
unit, such as a downhole tractor.
[0042] In addition, the communication device may comprise a
battery.
[0043] Also, the acoustic devices may comprise mechanical or
electronic filters.
[0044] The present invention furthermore relates to a communication
method for communicating wirelessly between a first and a third
tool separated by a second tool, comprising the steps of: [0045]
connecting the first tool with the second tool, the first tool
comprising a first communication device having an antenna and the
second tool comprising a tool housing, [0046] connecting the third
tool with the second tool, the third tool comprising a second
communication device having an antenna, [0047] sending radio waves
from the first communication device to the second communication
device.
[0048] The communication method described above may further
comprise the step of using orthogonal frequency-division
multiplexing (OFDM) modulation for transmitting encoding digital
data on multiple carrier frequencies between the antennas.
[0049] Finally, the present invention relates to a communication
method for communicating wirelessly between a first and a third
tool separated by a second tool, comprising the steps of: [0050]
connecting the first tool with the second tool, the first tool
comprising a first acoustic device and the second tool comprising a
tool housing, [0051] connecting the third tool with the second
tool, the third tool comprising a second acoustic device, [0052]
sending acoustic signals from the first acoustic device to the
second acoustic device, the signals propagating along the housing
of the tool.
[0053] This communication method may further comprise the step of
converting data parameters into electric signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] The invention and its many advantages will be described in
more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic
drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some
non-limiting embodiments and in which
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a downhole
tool system,
[0056] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the downhole tool system,
and
[0057] FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the downhole tool
system.
[0058] All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to
scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order
to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely
suggested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a downhole tool system 1 comprising three
tools; a first 1, a second 2 and a third 3 tool, arranged as a tool
string. The first tool 1 is connected to a wireline at its first
end 11 to power the tool string. In its second end 12, the first
tool 1 is connected to a first end 21 of the second tool 2 by means
of a threaded connection firmly connecting the first 1 and second 2
tools. In its second end 22, the second tool 2 is connected to a
first end 31 of the third tool 3, also by means of a threaded
connection.
[0060] Two operators may work together to perform a well operation
in the sense that a tool of one operator is arranged between the
tools of another operator. Thus, the first 1 and the third tool 3
come from a first operator and the second tool 2 comes from a
second operator. Since the first 1 and third 3 tools are separated
by the second tool 2, communication between the tools of the first
operator cannot take place inside the tools in the conventional way
since it is not possible to communicate through the second tool 2.
This is due to the fact that the second operator uses a different
communication system than the first operator and that it is not
possible to pull wires through the intermediate tool without having
to substantially reconstruct this tool.
[0061] Therefore, the first 1 and third 3 tools comprise
communication devices 13, 33 in the form of acoustic devices. The
acoustic device of the first tool 1 is arranged in a housing wall
at the second end 12 of the first tool 1, abutting the first end 21
of the second tool 2, thereby being able to generate acoustic
signals propagating axially along the housing 23 of the second tool
2. The acoustic device of the third tool 3 is arranged in a housing
wall at the first end 31 of the third tool 3, abutting the second
end 22 of the second tool 2, thereby also being able to generate
acoustic signals propagating axially along the housing 23 of the
second tool 2.
[0062] Each acoustic device comprises a transducer 5 facing the end
of the housing 23 of the second tool 2. The transducers 5 may be
magnetostrictive transducers transmitting acoustic signals in the
form of longitudinal sonic waves along the housing 23 of the second
tool 2.
[0063] In FIG. 2, the communication devices 13, 33 comprise
antennas for sending and receiving radio waves having wavelengths
of 1-2 cm. The antennas are arranged so that they project only
partly from the outer faces of the first 1 and third 3 tools and
extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tools. By
having antennas transmitting signals with wavelengths of 1-2 cm,
the radio waves propagate in the well fluid along the tool string
without being substantially destroyed when hitting the wall of the
tools 1, 2, 3 or the wall of the production casing 10.
[0064] The antennas are arranged in the housings of the first 1 and
third 3 tools and are isolated from the other parts of the tools to
improve the quality of the communication between the first 1 and
third 3 tools.
[0065] The antennas may also be projecting parts of the tools and
be projected as required and maintained inside the tools when the
tool string is submerged into the casing 10.
[0066] FIG. 3 shows a communication device 13 of the first tool 1
(indicated by dotted lines) comprising an antenna 40 for
communicating with another antenna 40 of the third tool 3 by
sending and receiving radio waves. The antenna 40 of the second
tool 3 has the same design as shown in FIG. 3. The antenna 40
comprises one or more ferrite rods 41. The antenna is a loop
antenna wound around one or more ferrite rods, which increases the
inductance without increasing the size of the antenna
substantially. This is especially useful for downhole tools where
the space is limited. The ferrite rods extend parallel to the tool
axis 43 and have a distance to the centre of the tool. The rods are
spaced apart along the circumference of the tool housing and are
thus enclosed by the tool housing. In another embodiment, the
antenna may be arranged in the tool housing. The ferrite rods are
thus arranged in a circular loop connected with a processor 44. The
processor 44, which is also referred to as a CPU, may use
orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation for
transmitting encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies
between the antennas.
[0067] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the antennas are arranged to
face the third party tool 2.
[0068] The antenna comprises several rods, of which one half are
used as antennas 41a and the other half are used as back-up
antennas 41b. In the centre, an adaptive feedback sensor antenna is
arranged.
[0069] By having rods, the antenna is able to send and receive at
different frequencies--one frequency for each rod. The antennas
transmit radio waves having a wavelength which is lower than 200 m,
preferably lower than 1 m, more preferably lower than 10 cm, and
even more preferably lower than 2.5 cm. Furthermore, the waves may
be transmitted at a frequency of 520-1610 kHz.
[0070] Communication over 20 to 40 metres results in data rates
between 150 kbps and 680 kbps using linear bandwidth of 1 MHz. If
the third party tool being the second tool is smaller, resulting in
communication over a shorter distance, the data rates are
increased.
[0071] Thus, the antennas may be loop antennas, such as small loop
antennas, loop stick antennas, or ferrite rod antennas. The antenna
may be a multi-zone focussed antenna.
[0072] By fluid or well fluid is meant any kind of fluid that may
be present in oil or gas wells downhole, such as natural gas, oil,
oil mud, crude oil, water, etc. By gas is meant any kind of gas
composition present in a well, completion, or open hole, and by oil
is meant any kind of oil composition, such as crude oil, an
oil-containing fluid, etc. Gas, oil, and water fluids may thus all
comprise other elements or substances than gas, oil, and/or water,
respectively.
[0073] By a casing is meant any kind of pipe, tubing, tubular,
liner, string etc. used downhole in relation to oil or natural gas
production.
[0074] In the event that the tools are not submergible all the way
into the casing, a downhole tractor can be used to push the tools
all the way into position in the well. A downhole tractor is any
kind of driving tool capable of pushing or pulling tools in a well
downhole, such as a Well Tractor.RTM..
[0075] Although the invention has been described in the above in
connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications
are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *