Serial Hybrid Downhole Telemetry Networks
AssigneeBaker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
InventorsJohn-Peter Van Zelm, Andrew Hawthorn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid telemetry system includes a plurality of telemetry networks configured to communicate a modulated signal representing digital data along adjoining sections of a pipe string. The plurality of telemetry networks may each be optimized or particularly suitable for the configuration of the pipe string, the well, and/or the environment of the well occurring in each of the adjoining sections. Some of the plurality of telemetry networks may overlap to provide redundancy of the communication of the digital data.
Claims26
A method of communicating digital data along a pipe string for use in a well, the pipe string including a first section and a second section adjoining the first section, the method of communicating digital data comprising:
- providing a first transmitter and a first receiver in the first section of the pipe string;
- providing a second transmitter located in the second section of the pipe string;
- providing an interface apparatus in communication with the first receiver and the second transmitter;
- emitting, with the first transmitter, a first modulated signal encoding the digital data, wherein the first modulated signal is a first acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the first section of the pipe string;
- sensing, with the first receiver, the first modulated signal;
- decoding, with the interface apparatus, the first modulated signal to generate the digital data;
- emitting, with the second transmitter, a second modulated signal encoding at least a portion of the digital data, wherein the second modulated signal is a second acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the second section of the pipe string,
- wherein a first configuration of the first modulated signal differs from a second configuration of the second modulated signal, and
- wherein modulated signal configuration pertains to a specification for one or more of the modulated signal attributes consisting of frequency bandwidth, center frequency, number and frequency of carriers, a modulation type and configuration, error correction coding, and transmission power level.
A method of communicating digital data along a pipe string for use in a well, the pipe string including a first section and a second section adjoining the first section, the method of communicating digital data comprising:
- providing a first transmitter and a first receiver in the first section of the pipe string, wherein the first section of the pipe string is a distal section of the pipe string;
- providing a second transmitter located in the second section of the pipe string, wherein the second section of the pipe string is a proximal section of the pipe string;
- providing an interface apparatus in communication with the first receiver and the second transmitter;
- emitting, with the first transmitter, a first modulated signal encoding the digital data, wherein the first modulated signal is not an acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the first section of the pipe string;
- sensing, with the first receiver, the first modulated signal;
- decoding, with the interface apparatus, the first modulated signal to generate the digital data;
- and
- emitting, with the second transmitter, a second modulated signal encoding at least a portion of the digital data, wherein the second modulated signal is an acoustic signal traveling in a wall of the second section of the pipe string.
A method of communicating digital data along a pipe string for use in a well, the pipe string including a first section and a second section adjoining the first section, the method of communicating digital data comprising:
- providing a first transmitter and a first receiver in the first section of the pipe string;
- providing a second transmitter located in the second section of the pipe string, the second transmitter being in communication with the first receiver;
- emitting, with the first transmitter, a first modulated signal encoding the digital data;
- transmitting the first modulated signal along the first section of the pipe string;
- sensing, with the first receiver, the first modulated signal emitted by the first transmitter;
- and
- emitting, with the second transmitter, a second modulated signal encoding the digital data, wherein,
- wherein, either the first modulated signal is an optical signal, the first modulated signal is transmitted in an optic fiber disposed along the first section of the pipe string, and the second modulated signal is not an optical signal, or the first modulated signal is an not an optical signal, the second modulated signal is an optical signal, and the second modulated signal is transmitted in an optic fiber disposed along the second section of the pipe string,
- wherein emitting, with the second transmitter, the second modulated signal is performed without decoding the first modulated signal into the digital data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.