Wellbore condition monitoring sensors

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a downhole property of interest. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to be conveyed in a borehole penetrating an earth formation and carry a releasable sensor. The sensor is configured to be released by the carrier into drilling fluid and to sense the property. The sensor includes a memory to store sensed property data. The data can be downloaded from the memory wirelessly with the sensor in the drilling fluid or by retrieving the sensor from the drilling fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]In wellbore operations, the condition of a wellbore, a downhole tool, a reservoir, or fluid in the wellbore is typically measured by sensors in proximity to the drill bit and transmitted to the surface of the earth by a downhole telemetry system. Alternatively, the condition information is stored in memory disposed in a downhole tool and accessed by downloading the data upon retrieval of the tool from the wellbore. While a downhole telemetry system can transmit sensor data generally continuously, the overall transmission of data may be slow due to limited bandwidth. Similarly, while downloading data from a retrieved downhole tool may be performed with high bandwidth transmission, it can take from a few hours to days in order to retrieve the tool. Both methods may be ultimately too slow when downhole conditions are rapidly changing. Hence, it would be appreciated in the drilling industry if data obtained from downhole sensors could be provided to drilling operators in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a tool that can be used to estimate properties in a wellbore. It consists of a carrier that is sent down the hole to collect data, and a sensor that is released into drilling fluid to measure the property. The sensor has a memory to store the data it collects. The method involves sending the carrier down the hole, releasing the sensor into the drilling fluid, and then collecting the property data using the sensor. The data is then downloaded from the sensor at a higher location in the wellbore.

Problems solved by technology

While a downhole telemetry system can transmit sensor data generally continuously, the overall transmission of data may be slow due to limited bandwidth.

Both methods may be ultimately too slow when downhole conditions are rapidly changing.

Images