System And Methodology For Monitoring In A Borehole

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016237803-A1
Application number	US-201415027171-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 3, 2013
Priority date	Oct 3, 2013
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A technique facilitates monitoring of parameters along the exterior of a tubing/casing deployed in a borehole. An array of sensors is positioned outside of the tubing/casing and within a borehole wall. The array of sensors is coupled to a surface via a communication line routed through an inductive coupler system. The inductive coupler system has a first inductive coupler member located at an outside position and a second inductive coupler member located at an inside position with respect to the tubing/casing. The arrangement enables real-time monitoring of events outside of the tubing/casing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for sensing downhole, comprising:
a casing deployed in a borehole; an array of sensors deployed outside of the casing and between the casing and a borehole wall; an inductive coupler system having a first inductive coupler member on an outside of the casing and a second inductive coupler member on an inside of the casing; and a surface control coupled to the second inductive coupler member, the array of sensors being coupled to the first inductive coupler member to provide real-time communication from the array of sensors to the surface control.

2 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array of sensors is disposed in cement.

3 . The system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the array of sensors comprises a plurality of temperature sensors positioned in the cement to enable monitoring of the cement during curing.

4 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array of sensors comprises sensors positioned along exteriors of a plurality of casing sections, each casing section having a unique diameter.

5 . The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a well completion deployed in the casing.

6 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein array of sensors comprises a pressure sensor.

7 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein array of sensors comprises a strain sensor.

8 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein array of sensors comprises a CO2 sensor.

9 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein array of sensors comprises an H2S sensor.

10 . The estimate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of electromagnetic sensors employed in a seismic operation.

11 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein signals are communicated from the array of sensors to the surface control along at least one of an electric communication line and a fiber optic communication line.

12 . The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inductive coupler system comprises a plurality of inductive coupler systems to enable communication of signals across a plurality of casings.

13 . A method for sensing in a borehole, comprising:
deploying a casing in a borehole; positioning a plurality of sensors in an annulus along an exterior of the casing; routing a communication line from the plurality of sensors to an interior of the casing via an inductive coupler system; cementing the annulus such that at least some sensors of the plurality of sensors are cemented in place; and using the plurality of sensors to monitor parameters in the borehole.

14 . The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein positioning comprises positioning a plurality of temperature sensors and cementing comprises covering the plurality of temperature sensors with cement.

15 . The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein using comprises using the plurality of temperature sensors to monitor curing of the cement.

16 . The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein routing comprises routing a fiber optic line from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors to a laser and electronics cartridge.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein routing further comprises routing an electric line from the inductive coupler system to the laser and electronics cartridge and from the laser and electronics cartridge to the at least one sensor.

18 . The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein using comprises monitoring curing of the cement in real-time.

19 . A method, comprising:
deploying a tubing downhole in a wellbore; performing a cementing operation along an annulus surrounding the tubing; monitoring parameters of the cementing operation with a plurality of sensors positioned in the annulus; and outputting data from the plurality of sensors to a surface location in real-time.

20 . The method as recited in claim 19 , wherein outputting data comprises transmitting data to an interior of the tubing via an inductive coupler system.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Patel Dinesh

Classifications

• E21B33/13 Primary

  Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like · CPC title

• E21B33/0407

  with a suspended electrical cable · CPC title

• E21B47/13

  by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency · CPC title

• E21B47/103

  using thermal measurements · CPC title

• E21B47/135

  using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves · CPC title