Communication and location system for an autonomous frack system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12000267-B2
Application number	US-202217939241-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2022
Priority date	Sep 24, 2021
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

An autonomous wellbore tool may include a plug assembly and a positioning system. The positioning system may be provided on the plug assembly. According to an aspect, the positioning system includes a distance measurement system. The autonomous wellbore tool may include one of a perforating gun and a transmitter plug assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An autonomous wellbore tool comprising:
a plug assembly;
a positioning system provided on the plug assembly, wherein the positioning system comprises a distance measurement system;
a communication system housed in the plug assembly; and
a perforating gun, wherein the perforating gun comprises:
a detonator including an electronic circuit board;
a first perforating gun; and
a second perforating gun,

wherein the communication system is configured to communicate with the electronic circuit board, and wherein the communication system is configured distinguish between the first perforating gun and the second perforating gun.

2. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , wherein the distance measurement system comprises a sonar device.

3. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , wherein the distance measurement system comprises a wellbore fluid pressure telemetry system.

4. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
a setting tool,
wherein the plug assembly is secured to the setting tool such that the plug assembly is deployed in the wellbore while secured to the setting tool.

5. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
an expansion element, wherein the expansion element is configured to expand outwardly to affix to an inner surface of a wellbore casing.

6. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , wherein the perforating gun is an autonomous perforating gun.

7. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly is configured to be secured in a wellbore casing via a pre-installed securing mechanism comprising at least one of a plurality of seats, and a plurality of anchors.

8. An autonomous wellbore tool comprising:
a transmitter plug assembly; and
a sonar device secured to the transmitter plug assembly, wherein the sonar device is configured to find an object in a wellbore casing, wherein the sonar device comprises an active sonar transducer that emits an acoustic signal or pulse of sound when the autonomous wellbore tool is positioned in the wellbore casing,
wherein the active sonar transducer is configured to determine the range and orientation of an object in the wellbore casing, and wherein the active sonar transducer is configured to receive a return signal from the object in the wellbore casing.

9. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter plug assembly is configured to be secured to an inner surface in a wellbore casing via a pre-installed securing mechanism.

10. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 8 , wherein the pre-installed securing mechanism comprises at least one of a plurality of seats, and a plurality of anchors.

11. The autonomous wellbore tool of claim 8 , wherein the active sonar transducer is configured to measure a strength of the return signal, and determine a difference between the time the acoustic signal or the pulse of sound is emitted and the time the return signal is received.

12. A method of identifying a position of an autonomous tool in a wellbore, the method comprising:
deploying the autonomous tool in the wellbore, wherein the autonomous tool comprises:
a plug; and
a sonar device coupled to the plug;

setting the plug; and
using the sonar device, determining a position of a subsequently deployed perforating gun relative to the plug,
wherein the autonomous tool further comprises a perforating gun secured to an upper end of the plug, the perforating gun comprising a detonator, a detonating cord, and a shaped charge, and
wherein the method further comprises transmitting a firing signal from the plug to the detonator to detonate the shaped charge, wherein the firing signal is transmitted from the communication system of the plug.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the perforating gun comprises a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun coupled to the first perforating gun, and the method further comprises:
transmitting a first firing signal from the plug to the detonator of the first perforating gun; and
transmitting a second firing signal from the detonator of the first perforating gun to a detonator of the second perforating gun.

Assignees

• DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH

Inventors

• Loehken Joern Olaf

Classifications

• E21B47/095 Primary

  by detecting an acoustic anomalies, e.g. using mud-pressure pulses · CPC title

• E21B23/06

  for setting packers · CPC title

• E21B43/1185

  Ignition systems · CPC title

• E21B43/119

  Details, e.g. for locating perforating place or direction · CPC title

• G01V1/52

  Structural details · CPC title