US 9,557,434 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for detecting fracture geometry using acoustic telemetry

AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company

InventorsStuart R. Keller, Timothy I. Morrow, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles

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Abstract

An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication of data indicating elastic waves generated as a result of the formation of subsurface fractures. The data is processed which generates a map of fracture geometry. A method of evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are analyzed which generates a subsurface map.

Claims41

Dependent claims

An electro-acoustic telemetry system for evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation, comprising:

a casing string disposed in a wellbore, the casing string being comprised of pipe joints connected end-to-end;
at least two sensors disposed along the wellbore and configured to detect elastic waves within the subsurface formation;
a series of communications nodes placed along the wellbore, the communications nodes being configured to relay acoustic signals indicative of elastic waves caused by movement of rock within the subsurface formation as detected by the sensors;
a receiver at the surface configured to receive signals from an uppermost of the communications nodes;
wherein each of the communications nodes comprises:
a sealed housing;
an electro-acoustic transducer and associated transceiver also residing within the housing designed to relay acoustic signals from node-to-node up the wellbore and to the receiver during a wellbore operation;
and
an independent power source residing within the housing providing power to the transceiver.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/434,730Filed 18 Dec 2013 · us provisional application
Priority: 19 Dec 2012
Published: US 2015/0285937 A18 Oct 2015
Granted: 31 Jan 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G01V 1/52
Specially adapted for well-logging: structural details
E21B 47/13
Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging…
E21B 47/14
Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging…
E21B 47/16
Using acoustic waves: through the drill string or casing , e.g. by torsional acoustic waves