Wireline well test apparatus and method

Apparatus for generating downhole data from sensors fixedly positioned on a tubular string in a subterranean well bore, the tubular string including a central passageway for lowering wireline tools to a selected depth via a conductor wireline, the apparatus comprising:

• surface computing equipment for processing of the downhole data in real time;
• surface readout equipment for operator readout of the downhole data;
• surface control equipment for generating control signals in response to the downhole data;
• sensor means positioned on the tubular string for sensing downhole characteristics and generating a first signal functionally related to a sensed characteristic;
• landing receptacle means positioned on the tubular string;
• generator means positioned on the tubular string for inducing a fluctuating electromagnetic field in response to the first signal;
• latch tool means carried by the wireline and positionable within the central passageway of the tubular string for temporarily latching in a fixed axial position on the landing receptacle means;
• receiver means carried by the wireline means and in ohmic isolation from said generator means when said latch tool means is temporarily latched in said landing receptacle means for producing a second signal induced by the fluctuating electromagnetic field and having a characteristic proportional thereto;
• and
• signal conditioning means carried by the wireline for amplifying and converting the second signal for transmission to the surface computing equipment via the conductor wireline.

A method of monitoring well fluid characteristics during a subterranean well bore in fluid communication with a formation of interest, the tubular string including a central passageway for lowering wireline tools to a selected depth via a conductive wireline, the method comprising:

• lowering a latch tool having a receiver by the wireline to a selected position within the central passageway of the tubular string;
• temporarily latching the latch tool in a fixed axial position on the tubular string with said receiver in ohmic isolation from said string;
• sensing well fluid characteristics from a sensor positioned on the tubular string and generating a first signal functionally related to a sensed characteristic;
• generating a second signal in the well bore having a characteristic functionally related to the first signal;
• inducing a fluctuating electromagnetic field with a downhole electrical conductive portion of the tubular string in response to the second signal;
• generating a third signal within the latch tool induced by the fluctuating electromagnetic field and having a characteristic proportional thereto;
• conditioning the third signal for transmission to the surface via the conductor wireline;
• and
• processing the conditioned signal at the surface in real time.

Apparatus for monitoring well fluid characteristics during a subterranean well test utilizing a test string positioned in a subterranean well bore in fluid communication with a formation of interest, the test string including a central passageway for lowering wireline tools to a selected test spring depth via a conductor wireline, the apparatus comprising:

• a test valve positioned on the test string;
• a sensor means positioned on the test string for sensing well fluid characteristics below the test valve and generating a first signal functionally related to a sensed characteristic;
• a landing receptacle means positioned on the test string axially above the test valve;
• converter means positioned on the test string for generating a second AC signal having a characteristic functionally related to the first signal;
• generating means including a magnetic member electrically connected to said convertor means positioned on the test string for inducing a fluctuating electromagnetic field within an electrically conductive portion of the landing receptacle means adjacent the generator means in response to the second AC signal;
• latch tool means carried by the wireline and positionable within the central passageway of the test string for temporarily latching in a fixed axial position on the landing receptacle;
• receiver means including a magnetic member carried by the latch tool means adjacent an electrically conductive portion of the latch tool means and spaced radially inward of and in ohmic isolation from the generating means when said latch tool means is temporarily latched in said landing receptacle means for providing a third signal induced by the fluctuating electromagnetic field and having a characteristic proportional thereto;
• and,
• signal conditioning means carried by the wireline for amplifying and converting the third signal for transmission to the surface via the electric wireline.

Apparatus for generating downhole data from sensors fixedly positioned on a tubular string in a subterranean well bore, the tubular string including a central passageway for lowering wireline tools to a selected depth via a conductor wireline, the apparatus comprising:

• sensor means positioned on the tubular string for sensing downhole characteristics and generating a first signal functionally related to a sensed characteristic;
• landing receptacle means positioned on the tubular string;
• generator means including magnetic member positioned on the tubular string for inducing a fluctuating electromagnetic field in response to the first signal;
• latch tool means carried by the wireline and positionable within the central passageway of the tubular string for temporarily latching in a fixed axial position on the landing receptacle means;
• receiver means including a magnetic member carried by the wireline means positioned in ohmic isolation from said generator means when said latch tool means is temporarily latched in said landing receptacle means for producing a second signal induced by the fluctuating electromagnetic field and having a characteristic proportional thereto;
• and
• signal conditioning means carried by the wireline for amplifying and converting the second signal for transmission to the surface computing equipment via the conductor wireline.