Deployable sensor apparatus and method
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsReinhart Ciglenec, Lennox E. Reid
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for gathering data from a subsurface formation. A shell is utilized having a chamber therein, and being adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into the subsurface formation. A data sensor is disposed within the chamber of the shell. The shell has a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to the data sensor when the apparatus is positioned in the subsurface formation, whereby the data sensor senses at least one of the properties of the fluid.
Claims26
An apparatus for gathering data from a subsurface formation, comprising:
- a shell having a chamber therein and adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into a subsurface formation from a wellbore;
- a data sensor disposed within the chamber of said shell;
- said shell having a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to said data sensor when said apparatus is positioned in the subsurface formation, whereby said data sensor senses at least one of the properties of the fluid;
- and
- an antenna disposed within said chamber for transmitting signals representative of the fluid property sensed by said data sensor.
An apparatus for remotely deploying a sensor into a subsurface formation for gathering data from the formation, comprising:
- a shell having a chamber therein and adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into a subsurface formation from a wellbore;
- said shell having a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to the chamber, whereby a sensor disposed in said chamber could sense at least one of the properties of the fluid;
- and
- an antenna disposed within said chamber for transmitting signals representative of the fluid property sensed by a data sensor disposed in said chamber.
A method of determining a property of a subsurface formation, comprising the steps of:
- equipping a shell with a sensor for indicating a property of a subsurface formation and an antenna for transmitting a signal representative of the sensor-indicated property, the shell having a port therein for communicating properties of the fluid present in the subsurface formation to the sensor when the shell is inserted into the subsurface formation;
- positioning the shell within a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore penetrating the subsurface formation;
- applying force from the downhole tool to move the shell from the downhole tool into the subsurface formation;
- sensing a formation property with the sensor;
- and
- transmitting a signal representative of the formation property with the antenna.
A method of determining a property of a subsurface formation, comprising the steps of:
- equipping a substantially bullet-shaped shell with a sensor for indicating a property of a subsurface formation, a receiver for receiving remotely transmitted signals, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensor-indicated property, the shell having a port therein for communicating properties of the fluid present in the subsurface formation to the sensor when the shell is inserted into the subsurface formation;
- positioning the shell within a drill string disposed in a wellbore penetrating the subsurface formation;
- applying force from the drill string to move the shell from the drill string into the subsurface formation;
- activating the sensor with a remote signal transmitted to the receiver;
- sensing a formation property with the sensor;
- and
- transmitting a signal representative of the formation property with the transmitting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.