Apparatus and method for detecting the launch of a device in oilfield applications
AssigneeBJ Services Company
InventorsBradley T. Carlson, Ronnie D. Hughes
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Abstract
A system for use in detecting the launching of a device, such as a wiper plug or a sealing ball, is described having a first component, such as a detectable object disposed within the device, and a second component, such as a sensor. The sensor may be a sensor coil, while the detectable object may be a transponder capable of emitting Radio Frequency Identification signals to the sensor to signal its arrival adjacent the sensor. The system may be used with a concrete head or with a sealing ball injector. A method of launching the devices is also disclosed.
Claims52
A system for detecting the launching of a wiper plug into a wellbore, the system comprising:
- a transponder implanted within the wiper plug, the wiper plug adapted to travel through a cement manifold and into a casing of a wellbore, the cement manifold in fluid communication with and connected to an upper end of the casing;
- and
- a sensor coil adapted to be mountable on an outer perimeter of the cement manifold, the transponder adapted to send a Radio Frequency Identification signal to the sensor coil as the transponder in the wiper plug becomes substantially adjacent the sensor coil, thus detecting the launch of the wiper plug.
A system for detecting the launching of a sealing ball, the system comprising:
- a transponder implanted in the sealing ball, the transponder adapted to travel through a sealing ball injector and into a wellbore, the sealing ball injector and the wellbore being connected by an intermediate pipe having a fluid to carry the transponder therethrough;
- and
- a sensor coil adapted to be mountable around an outer perimeter of the intermediate pipe, the transponder adapted to send a Radio Frequency Identification signal to the sensor coil, the transducer and the sensor coil adapted to be in communication with each other as the transducer becomes substantially adjacent the sensor coil, thus detecting the launch of the transponder.
A system for detecting the launching of a device, the system comprising:
- a first component disposed within the device, the device adapted to travel through a conduit and into a wellbore, the conduit in fluid communication with an upper end of the wellbore;
- and
- a second component, the first component and the second component adapted to be in communication with each other as the first component becomes substantially adjacent the second component thus detecting the launch of the device.
A system for determining the launching of a device, the system comprising:
- a transponder being located in the device, the device adapted to travel through a conduit and into a wellbore, the conduit in fluid communication with an upper end of the wellbore;
- and a means for sensing the transponder when the transponder becomes substantially adjacent the means for sensing.
A method of detecting the launching of a device into a wellbore, comprising:
- providing the device with a first component;
- passing the device through a conduit, the conduit being in fluid communication with an upper end of the wellbore;
- providing a second component, the first and second components adapted to be in communication with each other as the first component is substantially adjacent the second component;
- and
- providing a signal from the first or second component to a host electronics package when the first component is substantially adjacent the second component, thus detecting the launch of the device.
The method of 41 further comprising:
- providing a detectable object for the first component and providing a sensor for the second component, the first and second components in communication with each other when the detectable object passes the sensor, as the detectable object in the device travels through the conduit.
The method of 42 further comprising:
- providing a transponder for the detectable object and providing a sensor coil for the sensor.
The method of 43 in which the step of providing the device further comprises providing a wiper plug with a transponder therein, a first end of the conduit being connected to an upper end of a casing disposed within the wellbore, the sensor coil being adapted to be disposed on a perimeter of the first end of the conduit.
The method of 43 in which the step of providing the device further comprises providing a sealing ball with a transponder therein, a first end of the conduit being connected to the upper end of the wellbore by an intermediate pipe, the sensor coil being adapted to be disposed on a perimeter of the intermediate pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.