Method and apparatus for in-situ wellbore measurements
AssigneeSensor Developments AS
InventorOivind Godager
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method to monitor parameters outside the wellbore casing of a well includes a Wireless Sensor Unit located outside a section of a non-magnetic casing of the well. The Wireless Sensor Unit includes a sensor device to measure parameters of the surroundings. The apparatus further includes an internal Sensor Energizer Unit inside the wellbore casing used for power and communication with the Wireless Sensor Unit. The Sensor Energizer Unit and the Wireless Sensor Unit are arranged to be at the same elevation, and they communicate data using electromagnetic modulation techniques.
Claims52
Apparatus to provide monitoring of parameters outside the wellbore casing of a well, said apparatus comprising:
- a Wireless Sensor Unit (“WSU”), placed outside a section of a non-magnetic casing, said WSU including a sensor device to measure parameters of its surroundings, wherein the WSU may be installed or positioned at any elevation of a wellbore and wherein the WSU is powered by Power Harvesting where the frequency of an induction signal is in the range of 10-1000 Hz for deep penetration through the non-magnetic casing;
- an internal Sensor Energizer Unit (“SEU”) for placement inside the wellbore casing, said SEU being used to provide power and communication with the WSU, and wherein the SEU is attached to the well production tubing on a process tubing segment having a thread that allows adjustment of said SEU's elevation, and wherein the SEU converts DC power supplied by a cable from the surface to an alternating electromagnetic field that provides a source of power for the WSU outside the wellbore casing;
- wherein the SEU and WSU use an electromagnetic modulation technique to provide communication of data between the two components;
- and
- wherein the SEU and the WSU are arranged to be at exactly the same elevation.
A method of monitoring parameters outside the wellbore casing of a well, said method comprising:
- installing a Wireless Sensor Unit (“WSU”), including a sensor device to measure parameters of its surroundings, at a location on the outside of a section of a non-magnetic casing, in which the WSU may be installed or positioned at any elevation of a wellbore;
- installing an internal Sensor Energizer Unit (“SEU”) inside the wellbore casing, said SEU being used for power and communication with the WSU, and wherein the SEU is attached to the well production tubing on a process tubing having a thread that allows adjustment of said SEU's elevation;
- arranging the SEU and the WSU to be at exactly the same elevation;
- powering the WSU where the frequency of an induction signal is in the range of 10-1000 Hz for deep penetration through the non-magnetic casing;
- converting DC power supplied by a cable from surface to an alternating electromagnetic field that provides a source of power for the WSU outside the wellbore casing;
- and
- using an electromagnetic modulation technique to provide communication of data between the WSU and the SEU.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.