Sensor deployment inside flowing well

Abstract

The disclosure notably relates to a system for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing (410) of a flowing well. The flowing well comprises a tubing (420) inside the casing. The system comprises a down carrier (300) fixed around the tubing. The down carrier comprises a first extremity forming a circular opening. The system comprises a clamp (100) comprising one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor. A first extremity of the clamp is invariable in rotation. The clamp is configured for compressing from a deployed position in which the clamp is attached to the casing to a retracted position in which the clamp is attached to the down carrier by the engagement of the first extremity of the clamp into the down carrier. The system forms an improved solution for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well.

Description

[0001] SENSOR DEPLOYMENT INSIDE FLOWING WELL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to the field of flowing wells, and more specifically to a system, clamp, up carrier, down carrier and method for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A flow well generally comprises a casing inside which a tubing is positioned. The casing has a larger diameter than the tubing, so that the tubing can be inserted into the casing without contacting the walls of the casing. Such flow wells can be monitored, e.g., during and after injection, to comply with local regulations. For example, the purpose of this monitoring may be to prove that the site integrity has not been jeopardized by the injection. It is also critical to guaranty safety and prevent incident. In this context, well operators generally collect measurements at different heights in the casing, such as vibration measurements or induced seismicity in the reservoir formations. To do this, sensors are deployed at different heights in the casing. This deployment can be made from structures containing the sensors, which are deployed, with the aid of the tubing inside the casing, at different heights in the casing. These structures can be initially attached to the tubing before the tubing is inserted into the casing and then, once the tubing is inserted into the casing, deployed so as to attach to the casing.

[0006] After a period of use, it may be useful to retrieve these sensors, for example to carry out maintenance on these sensors or to add new ones. It is therefore useful for these sensors to be deployable in a retrievable manner. However, retrievably deploying sensors in a flowing well (injecting or producing) presents severe limitations, due to noise, temperature, completion complexity and well architecture. In particular, the position of the structures holding the sensors may have changed since they were first deployed, which may complicate retrieving them.

[0007] Within this context, there is still a need for an improved solution for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well.

[0008] SUMMARY It is therefore provided a system for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well. The flowing well comprises a tubing inside the casing. The tubing and the casing are centered on a same longitudinal axis. The system comprises a down carrier having a tubular shape. The down carrier is fixed around the tubing. The down carrier comprises a first extremity forming a circular opening. The system comprises a clamp having a tubular shape with a longitudinal slit. The clamp is centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The clamp comprises one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor. The clamp comprises a first extremity facing the first extremity of the down carrier. The first extremity of the clamp is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The clamp is configured for compressing from a deployed position in which the clamp is attached to the inner surface of the casing to a retracted position in which the clamp is attached to the down carrier. The compression of the clamp from the deployed position to the retracted position is achieved by the engagement of the first extremity of the clamp into the circular opening formed by the first extremity of the down carrier.

[0009] The system may comprise one or more of the following: the first extremity of the clamp comprises at least three teeth oriented in the longitudinal direction. The at least three teeth are distributed around the entire circumference of the first extremity of the clamp;

[0010] - The first extremity of the down carrier comprises a circular edge and an inner surface comprising a conical portion and a cylindrical portion between the conical portion and the circular edge;

[0011] - The system further comprises an up carrier having a tubular shape. The up carrier is fixed around the tubing. The clamp is positioned along the longitudinal axis between the down carrier and the up carrier. The clamp is configured for extending from an initial position in which the clamp is attached to the up carrier to the deployed position;

[0012] - The up carrier comprises a first extremity forming a circular opening. The clamp comprises a second extremity facing the first extremity of the up carrier. The second extremity of the clamp is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The extension of the clamp is induced by the disengagement of the second extremity of the clamp from the circular opening formed by the first extremity of the up carrier;

[0013] - The second extremity of the clamp comprises at least three teeth oriented in the longitudinal direction. The at least three teeth are distributed around the entire circumference of the second extremity of the clamp;

[0014] - The first extremity of the up carrier comprises a circular edge and an inner surface comprising a conical portion and a cylindrical portion between the conical portion and the circular edge;

[0015] - The up carrier comprises a piston configured for extending from a folded position to an unfolded position. The extending of the piston from the folded position to the unfolded position causes the disengagement of the second circular extremity of the clamp from the circular opening of the up carrier;

[0016] - The up carrier further comprises a first burst disk configured for causing the extending of the piston from the folded position to the unfolded position when a pressure of a fluid flowing between the tubing and the casing becomes greater than a predetermined pressure;

[0017] - The piston is further configured for folding from the unfolded position to the folded position. The up carrier further comprises a second burst disk configured for, after the extending of the piston, causing the folding of the piston from the unfolded position to the folded position; and / or

[0018] - The up carrier comprises two half-tubing portions joined together by one or more double pinned hinges.

[0019] It is further provided a clamp comprised in the said system. The clamp may comprise any one or any combination of the features described above with respect to the system.

[0020] It is further provided a down carrier comprised in the said system. The down carrier may comprise any one or any combination of the features described above with respect to the system. It is further provided an up carrier comprised in the said system. The up carrier may comprise any one or any combination of the features described above with respect to the system.

[0021] It is further provided a method for retrievably deploying the said system. The method comprises lifting the tubing inside the casing so as to compress the clamp from the deployed position to the retracted position. The method comprises, after the compression of the clamp, continuing lifting the tubing so as to remove the tubing from the casing. The method comprises retrieving the clamp from the removed tubing.

[0022] The method may further comprise, prior to the lifting, positioning the clamp in an initial position attached to the up carrier, inserting the tubing into the casing, and extending the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Non-limiting examples will now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0025] FIGs. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of the clamp;

[0026] FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of the up carrier;

[0027] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate an example of the clamp of FIGs. 1 and 2 in the initial position attached to the up carrier of FIGs. 3 and 4;

[0028] FIGs. 7 and 8 illustrate an example of the clamp and the up carrier illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6 when the clamp is in the deployed position;

[0029] FIGs. 9 to 12 illustrate an example of the down carrier; and

[0030] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a flowing well in which the system is provided.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It is provided a system for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well. The flowing well comprises a tubing inside the casing. The tubing and the casing are centered on a same longitudinal axis. The system comprises a down carrier having a tubular shape. The down carrier is fixed around the tubing. The down carrier comprises a first extremity forming a circular opening. The system comprises a clamp having a tubular shape with a longitudinal slit. The clamp is centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The clamp comprises one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor. The clamp comprises a first extremity facing the first extremity of the down carrier. The first extremity of the clamp is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The clamp is configured for compressing from a deployed position in which the clamp is attached to the inner surface of the casing to a retracted position in which the clamp is attached to the down carrier. The compression of the clamp from the deployed position to the retracted position is achieved by the engagement of the first extremity of the clamp into the circular opening formed by the first extremity of the down carrier.

[0033] Such a system forms an improved solution for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing of a flowing well.

[0034] Notably, the system allows retrieving the sensor(s) deployed inside the flowing well. Indeed, the system enables the clamp holding the sensors to pass from the deployed position to a retracted position in which the clamp is attached to the down carrier, so that they can be retrieved when the tubing is removed from the casing. In particular, the down carrier allows the sensor(s) to be retrieved by compressing the clamp holding them in the retracted position fixed to the down carrier. As the down carrier is fixed to the tubing, the clamp, and therefore the sensor(s), can be retrieved when the tubing is removed from inside the casing.

[0035] Moreover, the system allows the clamp to be retrieved even if its position has rotated relative to the down carrier since its initial deployment in the casing. Indeed, the first extremity of the clamp, i.e. the one which engages into the circular opening of the down carrier to compress the clamp, is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. Thus, the first extremity of the clamp can engage in the circular opening of the down carrier independently of the level of rotation of the clamp relative to the down carrier. Such rotation can occur during use of the sensor(s). The system therefore ensures that the sensor(s) can be retrieved even if this occurs.

[0036] The flowing well may be included in a site, e.g., a CO2 storage site, which may include other flowing wells each including the same system. The flowing well may be an injection or production well. For example, the flowing well may be a gas or oil production well or a water injection well. The casing and tubing of the flowing well may be positioned vertically between the surface and the underground production or injection area. The tubing and the casing may be centered along a same longitudinal axis. The tubing is positioned inside the casing. The tubing may have a diameter which is lower than the diameter of the casing. The casing may be fixed relative to the ground and the tubing may move inside the casing (e.g., upward or downward, e.g., by being manipulated from the surface). The material produced or extracted by the flowing well (e.g., gas, oil or water) may pass through the tubing from the underground area at the bottom of the well to the outside at the surface or vice versa.

[0037] The down carrier may be configured for being mounted on the tubing. The tubular shape of the down carrier may surround the tubing, so that the down carrier may be firmly attached by compression to its outer surface. For example, the down carrier may be fixed to the tubing by pressing part of its inner surface against the outer surface of the tubing. In examples, the down carrier may comprise two halftubing portions joined together by one or more (e.g., two or three) double pinned hinges. The down carrier may be attached to the tubing by fixing these two halftubing portions on either side of the tubing and closing the double pinned hinge(s). This structure facilitates the installation of the down carrier on the tubing.

[0038] The extremities of the down carrier are the extremities of its tubular shape and are thus circular. The first extremity of the down carrier forms a circular opening inside of which the first extremity of the clamp may engage. When mounted on the tubing, the first extremity of the down carrier may face the first extremity of the clamp. For example, the down carrier may be positioned, along the longitudinal axis, below of the clamp. In that case, the first extremity may be the one which is the highest along the longitudinal axis, i.e. the extremity facing the surface, and the clamp may be positioned above this first extremity along the longitudinal axis. In that case also, the up carrier may be positioned above the clamp, facing the second extremity of the clamp. The engagement of the clamp into the down carrier may be achieved by the movement of the tubing inside the casing. For example, when the down carrier is positioned below the clamp, the engagement of the clamp into the down carrier may be achieved by an upward movement of the tubing. In particular, as the down carrier is attached to the tubing, this upward movement also causes the down carrier to move upwards, and, once the down carrier reaches the clamp, the engagement by force of the first extremity of the clamp into the first extremity of the down carrier. Similarly, the engagement of the clamp into the down carrier may be achieved by a downward movement of the tubing when the down carrier is positioned above the clamp.

[0039] The engagement of the clamp into the down carrier is achieved by the compression of the clamp from the deployed position to the retracted position. The compression of the clamp may reduce its outside diameter so that its first extremity engages with the first extremity of the down carrier. The clamp may be made of a material capable of elastic and reversible deformation (e.g., the material of the clamp may be steel). The compression of the clamp may be achieved by a reduction of the width of its longitudinal slit, thereby reducing the outside diameter of the clamp. In the deployed position, the clamp is clamped on the inner surface of the casing, which means that its outside diameter at rest is greater than that of the casing. When the clamp is compressed, the clamp is forcefully engaged in the down carrier, which causes a further reduction in its outside diameter, and therefore its detachment from the casing. The first extremity of the down carrier may form a circular opening of decreasing diameter, for example from a diameter (e.g., slightly) greater than that of the edge of the first extremity of the clamp in the deployed position to a smaller diameter (e.g., a reduction of between three quarters and half), so that the clamp is compressed when its first extremity engages in it. After the compression, the clamp is the fixed to the down carrier only, so it can be removed at the same time as the tubing.

[0040] In examples, the first extremity of the down carrier may comprise a circular edge and an inner surface comprising a conical portion and a cylindrical portion between the conical portion and the circular edge. When the first extremity of the clamp engages into the down carrier, its edge may slide into the inner surface of the first extremity of the down carrier by encountering first the cylindrical portion, and then the conical portion. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion may be constant, for example may be (e.g., slightly) greater than that of the edge of the first extremity of the clamp in the deployed position. The conical portion may comprise a decreasing internal diameter, for example from the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion to a smaller diameter (e.g., a reduction of between three quarters and half), so that the clamp is compressed when its first extremity engages in it. The cylindrical portion of the down carrier allows improving the maintaining of the clamp in the retracted position, reducing the risk of the sensors falling out during removal from the tubing.

[0041] The first extremity of the clamp is, substantially, invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. It means that at least 50 percent (e.g., 75 or 80 percent) of the circumference of this first extremity has the same shape and edge. For example, the first extremity of the clamp may comprise several teeth (e.g., at least three teeth) oriented in the longitudinal direction. The several teeth may be distributed around the entire circumference of the first extremity of the clamp. The several teeth may each have the same edge. The edges of the teeth on the circumference may together form the edge of the first extremity of the clamp. For example, the edges of the teeth may form at least 50 percent (e.g., at least 75 or 80 percent) of the circumference of the first extremity of the clamp.

[0042] In examples, the system may further comprise the up carrier. The up carrier may have a tubular shape, and may also be fixed around the tubing (like the down carrier). In particular, the up carrier may be positioned along the longitudinal axis on the other side of the clamp from the down carrier, i.e., so as to face the second extremity of the clamp. In other words, the clamp may be positioned along the longitudinal axis between the down carrier and the up carrier. When the down carrier is positioned below the clamp along the longitudinal axis, the up carrier may be positioned above the clamp along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, when the down carrier is positioned above the clamp along the longitudinal axis, the up carrier may be positioned below the clamp along the longitudinal axis. The up carrier may be used to position the clamp inside the casing before deploying it. In the initial position, the clamp is fixed to the up carrier, so it can be placed at the same time as the tubing is inserted into the casing. Then, the clamp may be detached from the up carrier and extended from the initial position to the deployed position so as to be clamped into the inner surface of the casing.

[0043] The up carrier therefore allows deploying the clamp containing the sensor(s) inside of the casing when the clamp reaches the correct depth. Indeed, the clamp is initially attached to the up carrier before the tubing is inserted into the casing and then, once the tubing is inserted into the casing, deployed so as to attach to the casing (and no longer to the tubing). This attachment to the casing (and no longer to the tubing) allows preventing vibrations linked to the circulation of fluids (gas or oil production or water injection) in the tubing from being transmitted mechanically by contact to the sensors, creating noise that would be louder than the signal to be recorded.

[0044] In examples, the extension of the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position may be achieved by a mechanism of the same nature but reversed as that for moving from the deployed position to the retracted position. In that case, the two extremities of the clamp may be symmetrical. The second extremity of the clamp may be invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing. The second extremity of the clamp may be similar to the first extremity of the clamp (i.e., the second extremity may comprise several teeth distributed around the entire circumference of the second extremity of the clamp). The up carrier may comprise a first extremity forming a circular opening. The extension of the clamp may be induced by the disengagement of the second extremity of the clamp from the circular opening formed by the first extremity of the up carrier. The clamp may be compressed in the initial position (the outside diameter of the clamp being reduced in this initial position) and the outside diameter of the clam may extend from this initial position to the deployed position outside of the up carrier.

[0045] The first extremity of the up carrier may also be similar to the first extremity of the down carrier. The first extremity of the up carrier may comprise a circular edge and an inner surface comprising a conical portion and a cylindrical portion between the conical portion and the circular edge. When the second extremity of the clamp disengages from the up carrier, its edge may slide along the inner surface of the first extremity of the up carrier, first along the conical part and then along the cylindrical part. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion may be constant and may be lower than the outer diameter of the clamp in the deployed position. The conical portion may comprise an increasing internal diameter, for example increasing until the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion, so that the clamp is decompressed when its first extremity disengages from the up carrier. The cylindrical portion of the up carrier allows improving the maintaining of the clamp in the initial position, reducing the risk of the sensors falling out when the tubing is placed.

[0046] The up carrier may be configured for being mounted on the tubing. The tubular shape of the up carrier may surround the tubing, so that the up carrier may be firmly attached by compression to its outer surface. For example, the up carrier may be fixed to the tubing by pressing part of its inner surface against the outer surface of the tubing. In examples, the up carrier may comprise two half-tubing portions joined together by one or more (e.g., two or three) double pinned hinges. The up carrier may be attached to the tubing by fixing these two half-tubing portions on either side of the tubing and closing the double pinned hinge(s). This structure facilitates the installation of the up carrier on the tubing.

[0047] In examples, the up carrier may comprise a piston which may be used for disengaging the clamp from the up carrier. In particular, the piston may be configured for extending from a folded position to an unfolded position. The extending of the piston from the folded position to the unfolded position may cause the disengagement of the second circular extremity of the clamp from the circular opening of the up carrier. For example, the clamp may comprise an outer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The piston may be directed towards this outer surface of the clamp to push the clamp out of the up carrier as it moves from the folded position to the unfolded position.

[0048] In examples, the extension of the piston may be controlled using a first burst disk. A fluid may flow between the tubing and the housing, for example by being controlled from the surface. The first rupture disc may be in contact with this fluid, and may rupture when the pressure of this fluid becomes greater than a first predetermined pressure. For example, the rupture of the first burst disk may cause the fluid to enter a cavity in the up carrier, causing the piston to extend from the folded position to the unfolded position. The first burst disk allows controlling the deployment of the clamp from the surface. Indeed, the fluid pressure can be controlled from the surface (by an operator), allowing the piston to extend, and thus the clamp to be deployed, when the up carrier is positioned at the right depth along the casing.

[0049] In examples, the up carrier may further comprise a second burst disk configured for folding the piston once the clamp has been deployed. The second bursting disc may be positioned, in the direction of the fluid flowing between the tubing and the casing, downstream relative to the first burst disk, so that it ruptures after the first. As for the first burst disk, the rupture of the second burst disk may cause the fluid to enter a cavity in the up carrier, causing the piston to fold from the unfolded position to its initial folded position. The second burst disk improves the deployment of the clamp holding the sensor(s). Indeed, the folding of the piston allows reducing the risk of it remaining in contact with the clamp, and therefore of stray vibrations from the tubing being transmitted to the clamp.

[0050] In examples, the up carrier may comprise several pistons (i.e., the one previously discussed and one or more additional similar piston). The several pistons may be regularly distributed (e.g., substantially) along the circumference of the up carrier, and may cooperate together to disengage the clamp. The pistons may each be configured for extending from a folded position to an unfolded position, so as to push, simultaneously, the clamp from the circular opening of the up carrier. In that case, the previously discussed first and second burst disks may control each of the pistons together, or alternatively, the up carrier may comprise respective first and second burst disks for each piston.

[0051] In other examples, the extension of the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position may be achieved by a mechanism which differs from that for moving from the deployed position to the retracted position. The two extremities of clamp may in that case be asymmetrical. For example, the second extremity of the clamp may comprise two holes positioned on either side of the longitudinal slit. The up carrier may comprise a fork comprising two spikes. In the initial position, the two spikes of the fork may engage in the two holes of the clamp so as to hold the clamp compressed. The extension of the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position may be achieved by the disengagement of the spikes of the fork from the two holes in the clamp, thereby releasing the compression of the clamp and achieving the clamping of the clamp on the casing.

[0052] In example, the at least one sensor may include one or more seismic sensors. The at least one sensor may be configured for 4D application (e.g., 4D Vertical Seismic Profiling) and / or for micro-seismic applications (e.g., reservoir and caprock integrity monitoring and / or production optimization). It means that, after the deployment of the at least one sensor inside the casing of the flowing well, measurements obtained from the deployed at least one sensor may be used to perform such applications for the flowing well. The number and type of sensor(s) held by the clamp may vary depending on the application.

[0053] One system has been discussed so far. However, the flowing well may be equipped with several systems such as the aforementioned one. For example, the flowing well may be equipped with more than 8 systems, for example more than 10 or 15 systems. The systems may be positioned at different longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis of the flowing well. For example, the systems may be positioned at regular intervals along the flowing well to obtain measurements along the entire length of the flowing well. Each system of the flowing well may comprise a respective clamp holding at least one respective sensor, a respective down carrier for the retrieving of the respective clamp and a respective up carrier for the deployment of the respective clamp.

[0054] It is also provided a clamp comprised in the said system. The clamp may comprise any one or any combination of the features discussed above with respect to the system.

[0055] It is also provided a down carrier comprised in the said system. The down carrier may comprise any one or any combination of the features discussed above with respect to the system. It is also provided an up carrier comprised in the said system. The up carrier may comprise any one or any combination of the features discussed above with respect to the system.

[0056] It is also provided a method for retrievably deploying the said system. The method comprises lifting the tubing inside the casing so as to compress the clamp from the deployed position to the retracted position. The clamp is, before the lifting of the tubing, in the deployed position, and the down carrier may be positioned below the clamp (the first extremity of the down carrier facing the first extremity of the clamp). The lifting of the tubing achieves an upward movement of the tubing, and therefore also of the down carrier fixed to it. This upward movement of the down carrier achieves the engagement of the clamp into the down carrier. In particular, once the down carrier reaches the clamp, the lifting of the tubing achieves the engagement by force of the first extremity of the clamp into the first extremity of the down carrier.

[0057] After the compression of the clamp, the method comprises continuing the lifting of the tubing so as to remove the tubing from the casing. For example, the lifting of the tubing may continue until the down carrier (and the clamp attached to it) reaches the surface. The tubing may comprise several sections, which are removed one at a time, and the lifting may continue until the section at which the down carrier is fixed reaches the surface and is removed. Once the section of the tubing including the down carrier is removed, the method comprises retrieving the clamp from the removed section of the tubing. The clamp may be retrieved from the tubing (e.g., by an operator) by disengaging the clamp from the down carrier.

[0058] In examples, the method may also comprise, prior to the retrieving of the clamp, the deployment of the clamp. In that case, the method may further comprise, prior to the lifting of the tubing, positioning the clamp in an initial position attached to the up carrier. The up carrier may already be attached to the tubing, or alternatively the method may also comprise, prior to the positioning of the clamp, attaching the up carrier to the tubing. The positioning of the clamp in the initial position attached to the up carrier may be performed (e.g., by an operator) by compressing the second extremity of the clamp into the first extremity of the up carrier.

[0059] After the positioning of the clamp, the method may comprise inserting the tubing into the casing. The tubing may be inserted into the casing until the clamp reaches a predetermined depth inside of the casing (e.g., by inserting the tubing sections discussed above one on top of the other). Once the clamp reaches this predetermined depth, the method comprises deploying the clamp by extending the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position. The extending of the clamp may comprise detaching the clamp from the tubing and clamping the clamp onto the inner surface of the casing, thereby positioning the clamp at the said predetermined depth. The deployment of the clamp may be achieved using the piston of the up carrier. The extending of the clamp may be achieved by the extending of the piston from the unfolded position to the folded position as previously discussed. For example, the up carrier may comprise the first burst disk, and the method may achieve the deployment of the clamp by introducing a fluid between the tubing and the casing with a pressure higher than the first predetermined pressure at the location of the first burst disk, thereby achieving the rupture of the first burst disk and the folding of the piston. In examples, the up carrier may also comprise a second burst disk, which may rupture after the first burst disk for unfolding the piston after the deployment of the clamp as previously discussed.

[0060] With reference to FIGs. 1 to 10, examples of the system are now discussed.

[0061] FIGs. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of the clamp 100.

[0062] The clamp 100 has a tubular shape with a longitudinal slit 102. The clamp 100 comprises a first extremity 110 and a second extremity 120 that are symmetric. The two extremities 110, 120 join a central part 130 with a C-shaped cross-section. The central part 130 comprises one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor (not shown in the figure). When mounted on the tubing, the first extremity 110 of the clamp 100 faces the first extremity of the down carrier, and the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100 faces the first extremity of the up carrier.

[0063] The first extremity 110 of the clamp 100 and the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100 are each invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the clamp 100. In particular, each extremity comprises several respective teeth oriented in the longitudinal direction and distributed around substantially the entire circumference of the extremity. The first extremity 110 of the clamp 100 comprises the teeth 111, 112, and the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100 comprises the teeth 121, 122, and 123. In particular, each extremity comprises three pairs of teeth: the pairs 121, 122, and 123 for the second extremity 120 and the pairs 111, 112 (one being not shown in the figure) for the first extremity 110. The two teeth of each pair meet in a respective common part (see the common part 124 for the pair 123 for example) before joining the central part 130 of the clamp 100 with the C-shaped cross-section. The edges of pairs of teeth 121, 122 and 123 on the circumference together form the edge of the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100. Similarly, the edges of pairs of teeth 111 and 112 on the circumference together form the edge of the first extremity 110 of the clamp 100.

[0064] The central portion 130 of the clamp 100 comprises two outer surfaces (one for each of its extremities) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (see the outer surface 131 for the second extremity 120). When in the initial position inside of an up carrier, a piston of an up carrier is directed towards the outer surface 131 of the clamp 100 to push the clamp 100 out of the up carrier as it moves from the folded position to the unfolded position, as explained in more detail below with reference to FIGs. 6 and 7. The central portion 130 also comprises an outer lateral surface 132 which is, when the clamp 100 is in the deployed position inside of a casing, in contact with the inner lateral surface of the casing.

[0065] The central part 130 is configured to deform so as to reduce the external diameter of the clamp 100, thereby achieving the compressing from the deployed position (i.e., clamped on the casing) to the retracted position (i.e., inside of the down carrier). The reduction of the external diameter of the clamp 100 is achieved by the reduction of the thickness of the longitudinal slit 102. The central part 130 is also configured to deform so as to increase the external diameter of the clamp 100, thereby achieving the extending from the initial position (i.e., inside of the up carrier) to the deployed position (i.e., clamped on the casing).

[0066] FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of the up carrier 200. The up carrier 200 has a tubular shape. The up carrier 200 comprises a first extremity 230 forming a circular opening. The first extremity 230 of the up carrier 200 comprises a circular edge 231. The first extremity 230 of the up carrier 200 also comprises an inner surface comprising a conical portion 233 and a cylindrical portion 232 between the conical portion 233 and the circular edge 231.

[0067] The up carrier 200 is configured for being mounted on the tubing. The tubular shape of the up carrier 200 may surround the tubing, so that the up carrier 200 may be firmly attached by compression to its outer surface. The up carrier 200 may be fixed to the tubing by pressing part of its inner surface against the outer surface of the tubing. The up carrier 200 may comprise two half-tubing portions 210, 220 joined together by several double pinned hinges (see the double pinned hinges 260 illustrated in FIG. 5). The up carrier 200 may be attached to the tubing by fixing the two half-tubing portions 210, 220 on either side of the tubing and closing the double pinned hinge(s), e.g. using socket head cap screws 235. This structure facilitates the installation of the up carrier on the tubing.

[0068] As illustrated in the cross-section of FIG. 4, the up carrier 200 comprises a first piston 240 and a second piston 250 each configured for extending from a folded position to an unfolded position. In particular, the first piston 240 comprises a front face 241 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and that is configured to come in contact with the outer surface of the clamp so as to push the clamp out of the up carrier as the first piston 240 moves from the folded position to the unfolded position. Similarly, the second piston 250 comprises a front face 251 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and that comes in contact with the outer surface of the clamp to push the clamp out of the up carrier as the second piston moves from the folded position to the unfolded position.

[0069] The up carrier 200 further comprises a first burst disk 242 configured for causing the extending of the first piston 240 from the folded position to the unfolded position when a pressure of a fluid flowing between the tubing and the casing becomes greater than a predetermined pressure. The up carrier 200 further comprises a second burst disk 243 configured for, after the extending of the first piston 240, causing the folding of the first piston 240 from the unfolded position to the folded position. The second piston 250 is also controlled by the first and second burst disks 242, 243. In particular, the first burst disk 242 is configured for causing the extending of the second piston 250 from the folded position to the unfolded position at the same time as the first piston 240. The second burst disk 243 configured for, after the extending of the second piston 250, causing the folding of the second piston 250 from the unfolded position to the folded position at the same time as the first piston 240.

[0070] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate an example of the clamp 100 illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2 in the initial position attached to the up carrier 200 illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4.

[0071] In this initial position, the teeth of the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100 are inserted into the circular opening formed by the first extremity 230 of the up carrier 200. The outer surface 131 of the central portion 130 of the clamp 100 is in contact with the circular edge 231 of the first extremity 230 of the up carrier 200. The two pistons 240, 250 of the up carrier 200 are in the folded position.

[0072] The up carrier 200 is used to position the clamp 100 inside the casing before deploying it. In this initial position, the clamp 100 is fixed to the up carrier 200, so it can be placed at the same time as the tubing is inserted into the casing. Then, the clamp 100 may be detached from the up carrier 200 and extended from this initial position to the deployed position so as to be clamped into the inner surface of the casing (the deployed position is illustrated in FIGs. 7 and 8).

[0073] FIGs. 7 and 8 illustrate the clamp 100 and the up carrier 200 when the clamp 100 is in the deployed position.

[0074] The extension of the clamp 100 is induced by the disengagement of the second extremity 120 of the clamp 100 from the circular opening formed by the first extremity 230 of the up carrier 200. The clamp 100 is compressed in the initial position illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6 (the outside diameter of the clamp being reduced in this initial position) and the outside diameter of the clam 100 extends from the initial position to the deployed position illustrated in FIGs. 7 and 8.

[0075] The extension of the first and second pistons 240, 250 is controlled using the first burst disk 242. A fluid flows between the tubing and the housing (the fluid flow being controlled from the surface). The first rupture disc 242 is in contact with this fluid flowing between the tubing and the housing. The first rupture disc 242 ruptures when the pressure of this fluid becomes greater than the first predetermined pressure. The rupture of the first burst disk 242 causes the fluid to enter the cavity 244, causing the first and second pistons 240, 250 to extend from the folded position to the unfolded position.

[0076] The up carrier further comprises a second burst disk 243 configured for folding the first and second pistons 240, 250 once the clamp 100 has been deployed. The second bursting disc 243 is positioned, in the direction of the fluid flowing between the tubing and the casing, downstream relative to the first burst disk 242, so that it ruptures after the first burst disk 242. As for the first burst disk 242, the rupture of the second burst disk causes the fluid to enter another cavity 245, causing the first and second pistons 240, 250 to fold from the unfolded position to its initial folded position.

[0077] FIGs. 9 to 12 illustrate an example of the down carrier 300. In particular, Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the down carrier 300 in different views, and Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the down carrier in a plane 305 radial to the tubing axis (illustrated in Fig. 11). The down carrier 300 is configured for being mounted on a tubing. The tubular shape of the down carrier 300 may surround the tubing, so that the down carrier 300 may be firmly attached by compression to its outer surface. Especially, the down carrier 300 may be fixed to the tubing by pressing part of its inner surface against the outer surface of the tubing. In this example, the down carrier comprises two half-tubing portions 310, 320 joined together by one or more double pinned hinges 332. The down carrier 300 may be attached to the tubing by fixing these two half-tubing portions 310, 320 on either side of the tubing and closing the double pinned hinges 332 using socket head cap screws 331. This structure facilitates the installation of the down carrier 300 on the tubing.

[0078] The extremities of the down carrier 300 are the extremities of its tubular shape and are thus circular. The first extremity 340 of the down carrier forms a circular opening inside of which the first extremity of the clamp may engage. When mounted on the tubing, the first extremity 340 of the down carrier may face the first extremity of the clamp. The first extremity 340 of the down carrier comprises a circular edge 341 and an inner surface comprising a conical portion 342 and a cylindrical portion 343 between the conical portion 342 and the circular edge 341. When the first extremity 340 of the clamp engages into the down carrier, its edge may slide into the inner surface of the first extremity 340 of the down carrier by encountering first the cylindrical portion 343, and then the conical portion 342. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 343 may be constant, for example may be (e.g., slightly) greater than that of the edge of the first extremity of the clamp in the deployed position. The conical portion 342 may comprise a decreasing internal diameter, for example from the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 343 to a smaller diameter (e.g., a reduction of between three quarters and half), so that the clamp is compressed when its first extremity engages in it. The cylindrical portion 343 of the down carrier allows improving the maintaining of the clamp in the retracted position, reducing the risk of the sensors falling out during removal from the tubing.

[0079] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a flowing well 400 in which the system is provided. The system allows retrievably deploying the at least one sensor inside the casing 410 of the flowing well 400. The flowing well 400 comprises a tubing 420 inside the casing 410. The tubing 420 and the casing 410 are centered on a same longitudinal axis. The system comprises the down carrier 300 having a tubular shape. The down carrier 300 is fixed around the tubing 420. The down carrier 300 comprises a first extremity 340 forming a circular opening. The system comprises a clamp 100 having a tubular shape with a longitudinal slit. The clamp 100 is centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubing 420. The clamp comprises one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor. The clamp 100 comprises a first extremity 110 facing the first extremity 340 of the down carrier 300. The first extremity 110 of the clamp is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing 420. The clamp 100 is configured for compressing from a deployed position in which the clamp 100 is attached to the inner surface of the casing 420 to a retracted position in which the clamp is attached to the down carrier 300. The compression of the clamp 100 from the deployed position to the retracted position is achieved by the engagement of the first extremity 110 of the clamp into the circular opening formed by the first extremity 340 of the down carrier. The engagement of the clamp 100 into the down carrier 300 may be achieved by the movement of the tubing 420 inside the casing 410. For example, when the down carrier 300 is positioned below the clamp 100, the engagement of the clamp 100 into the down carrier 300 may be achieved by an upward movement of the tubing 420. In particular, as the down carrier 300 is attached to the tubing 420, this upward movement also causes the down carrier 300 to move upwards, and, once the down carrier 300 reaches the clamp 100, the engagement by force of the first extremity 110 of the clamp into the first extremity 340 of the down carrier. Similarly, the engagement of the clamp 100 into the down carrier 300 may be achieved by a downward movement of the tubing 420 when the down carrier 300 is positioned above the clamp 100.

[0080] The engagement of the clamp 100 into the down carrier 300 is achieved by the compression of the clamp 100 from the deployed position to the retracted position. The compression of the clamp 100 may reduce its outside diameter so that its first extremity 110 engages with the first extremity 340 of the down carrier. The clamp is made of a material capable of elastic and reversible deformation (e.g., the material of the clamp may be steel). The compression of the clamp 100 may be achieved by a reduction of the width of its longitudinal slit, thereby reducing the outside diameter of the clamp 100. In the deployed position, the clamp 100 is clamped on the inner surface of the casing 410, which means that its outside diameter at rest is greater than that of the casing 410. When the clamp 100 is compressed, the clamp 100 is forcefully engaged in the down carrier 300, which causes a further reduction in its outside diameter, and therefore its detachment from the casing 420. The first extremity 340 of the down carrier forms a circular opening of decreasing diameter, for example from a diameter (e.g., slightly) greater than that of the edge of the first extremity 110 of the clamp in the deployed position to a smaller diameter (e.g., a reduction of between three quarters and half), so that the clamp 100 is compressed when its first extremity 110 engages in it. After the compression, the clamp 100 is fixed to the down carrier 300 only, so it can be removed at the same time as the tubing 420. The system further comprises the up carrier 200. The up carrier 200 has a tubular shape, and is also fixed around the tubing 420 (like the down carrier 300). In particular, the up carrier 200 is positioned along the longitudinal axis on the other side of the clamp 100 from the down carrier 200, i.e., so as to face the second extremity 120 of the clamp. In other words, the clamp 100 is positioned along the longitudinal axis between the down carrier 300 and the up carrier 200.

[0081] The up carrier 200 may be used to position the clamp 100 inside the casing 420 before deploying it. In the initial position, the clamp 100 is fixed to the up carrier 200, so it can be placed at the same time as the tubing 420 is inserted into the casing 410. Then, the clamp 100 may be detached from the up carrier 200 and extended from the initial position to the deployed position so as to be clamped into the inner surface of the casing 420.

[0082] The up carrier 200 therefore allows deploying the clamp 100 containing the sensor(s) inside of the casing 410 when the clamp 100 reaches the correct depth. Indeed, the clamp 100 is initially attached to the up carrier 200 before the tubing 420 is inserted into the casing 410 and then, once the tubing 420 is inserted into the casing 410, deployed so as to attach to the casing 410 (and no longer to the tubing 420). This attachment to the casing 420 (and no longer to the tubing 410) allows preventing vibrations linked to the circulation of fluids (gas or oil production or water injection) in the tubing 410 from being transmitted mechanically by contact to the sensors, creating noise that would be louder than the signal to be recorded.

[0083] The extension of the clamp from the initial position to the deployed position is achieved by a mechanism of the same nature (but reversed) as that for moving from the deployed position to the retracted position. The two extremities 110, 120 of the clamp are symmetrical. The second extremity 120 of the clamp is invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing 420. The second extremity 120 of the clamp may be similar to the first extremity 110 of the clamp (i.e., the second extremity 120 comprises several teeth distributed around the entire circumference of the second extremity 120 of the clamp). The up carrier 200 comprises a first extremity 230 forming a circular opening. The extension of the clamp 100 is induced by the disengagement of the second extremity 120 of the clamp from the circular opening formed by the first extremity 230 of the up carrier. The clamp 100 is compressed in the initial position (the outside diameter of the clamp being reduced in this initial position) and the outside diameter of the clam may extend from this initial position to the deployed position outside of the up carrier.

[0084] The first extremity 230 of the up carrier is similar to the first extremity 340 of the down carrier, and comprises a circular edge 231 and an inner surface comprising a conical portion 233 and a cylindrical portion 232 between the conical portion 233 and the circular edge 231 (see references of Fig. 4). When the second extremity 120 of the clamp disengages from the up carrier 200, its edge may slide along the inner surface of the first extremity 230 of the up carrier, first along the conical part and then along the cylindrical part. The internal diameter of the cylindrical portion is constant and is lower than the outer diameter of the clamp 100 in the deployed position. The conical portion 233 comprises an increasing internal diameter increasing until the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 232, so that the clamp 100 is decompressed when its first extremity disengages from the up carrier 200. The cylindrical portion 232 of the up carrier allows improving the maintaining of the clamp 100 in the initial position, reducing the risk of the sensors falling out when the tubing 420 is placed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for retrievably deploying at least one sensor inside a casing (410) of a flowing well (400), the flowing well comprising a tubing (420) inside the casing, the tubing and the casing being centered on a same longitudinal axis, the system comprising:- a down carrier (300) having a tubular shape, the down carrier being fixed around the tubing, the down carrier comprising a first extremity (340) forming a circular opening; and- a clamp (100) having a tubular shape with a longitudinal slit (102), the clamp being centered on the longitudinal axis of the tubing, the clamp (100) comprising one or more receptacles for holding the at least one sensor, the clamp (100) comprising a first extremity (110) facing the first extremity of the down carrier, the first extremity (110) of the clamp being invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing, the clamp (100) being configured for compressing from a deployed position in which the clamp (100) is attached to the inner surface of the casing to a retracted position in which the clamp (100) is attached to the down carrier (300), the compression of the clamp (100) from the deployed position to the retracted position being achieved by the engagement of the first extremity (110) of the clamp into the circular opening formed by the first extremity (340) of the down carrier.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first extremity (110) of the clamp (110) comprises at least three teeth (111, 121) oriented in the longitudinal direction, the at least three teeth (111, 121) being distributed around the entire circumference of the first extremity (110) of the clamp (100).

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first extremity (340) of the down carrier comprises a circular edge (341) and an inner surface comprising a conicalportion (342) and a cylindrical portion (343 between the conical portion and the circular edge.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:- an up carrier (200) having a tubular shape, the up carrier (200) being fixed around the tubing, the clamp (100) being positioned along the longitudinal axis between the down carrier (300) and the up carrier (200), wherein the clamp (100) is configured for extending from an initial position in which the clamp (100) is attached to the up carrier (200) to the deployed position.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the up carrier (200) comprises a first extremity (230) forming a circular opening, the clamp (100) comprising a second extremity (120) facing the first extremity (230) of the up carrier (200), the second extremity (120) of the clamp (100) being invariable in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tubing, the extension of the clamp (100) being induced by the disengagement of the second extremity (120) of the clamp (100) from the circular opening formed by the first extremity (230) of the up carrier (200).

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second extremity (120) of the clamp (100) comprises at least three teeth (121, 122, 123) oriented in the longitudinal direction, the at least three teeth (121, 122 ,123) being distributed around the entire circumference of the second extremity (120) of the clamp (100).

7. The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first extremity (230) of the up carrier (200) comprises a circular edge (231) and an inner surface comprising a conical portion (233) and a cylindrical portion (232) between the conical portion (233) and the circular edge (231).

8. The system of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the up carrier (200) comprises a piston (240) configured for extending from a folded position to an unfolded position, the extending of the piston (240) from the folded position to the unfolded positioncausing the disengagement of the second circular extremity (120) of the clamp (100) from the circular opening (230) of the up carrier (200).

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the up carrier (200) further comprises a first burst disk (242) configured for causing the extending of the piston (240) from the folded position to the unfolded position when a pressure of a fluid flowing between the tubing and the casing becomes greater than a predetermined pressure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the piston (240) is further configured for folding from the unfolded position to the folded position, the up carrier (200) further comprising a second burst disk (243) configured for, after the extending of the piston (240), causing the folding of the piston (240) from the unfolded position to the folded position.

11. The system of any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the up carrier (200) comprises two half-tubing portions (210, 220) joined together by one or more double pinned hinges (260).

12. A clamp (100) comprised in a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A down carrier (300) comprised in a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. An up carrier (200) comprised in a system according to any one of claims 4 to 11.

15. A method for retrievably deploying a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising:- lifting the tubing inside the casing so as to compress the clamp (100) from the deployed position to the retracted position; and- after the compression of the clamp (100), continuing lifting the tubing so as to remove the tubing from the casing; and- retrieving the clamp (100) from the removed tubing.

16. The method of claim 15, when combined with any one of claims 4 to 11, further comprising, prior to the lifting: - positioning the clamp (100) in an initial position attached to the up carrier (200);- inserting the tubing into the casing; and- extending the clamp (100) from the initial position to the deployed position.

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