Petroleum well having downhole sensors, communication and power

(73) Assignee: Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/769,046

(22) Filed: Jan. 24, 2001

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0043369 Al Apr. 18, 2002

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/186,531, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,527, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,505, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,504, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,503, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186, 394, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,393, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,382, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,381, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,380, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,379, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,378, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,377, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/186,376, filed on Mar. 2, 2000, provisional application No. 60/181,322, filed on Feb. 9, 2000, provisional application No. 60/178,001, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, provisional application No. 60/178, 000, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, provisional application No. 60/177,999, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, provisional application No. 60/177,998, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, provisional application No. 60/177,997, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, and provisional application No. 60/177,883, filed on Jan. 24, 2000.

(51) Int. CI.7 E21B 34/06

(52) U.S. CI 166/373; 166/53; 166/65.1;

166/369

(58) Field of Search 166/250.15, 250.03,

166/372, 53, 369, 373, 65.1, 66.6

(56) References Cited

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(List continued on next page.)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(List continued on next page.)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Brown.Connolizo and Robertson, West Texas Oil Lilting Short Course and H. W. Winkler, "Misunderstood or overlooked Gas-Lilt Design and Equipment Considerations," SPE, p. 351 (1994).

(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—David Bagnell
Assistant Examiner—Daniel P Stephenson

(57) ABSTRACT

A petroleum well has an electronic module and a number ol sensors which communicate with the surface using the tubing string and casing as conductors. Induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically impede AC flow through the (tubing or casing il so configured) with the resulting voltage potential uselul for power and communication. A high bandwidth, adaptable spread spectrum communications system is used to communicate between the downhole electronics module and a surface master spread spectrum modem. Downhole sensors, such as pressure, temperature, acoustic and seismic sensors accurately assess downhole physical conditions. In a preferred form, the electronics module and sensors are wireline insertable and retrievable into a side pocket mandrel in the tubing string. Permanent downhole sensors that can communicate with the surface allow such diverse applications as optimizing well and field performances, monitoring and assessing the geophysics of the fomrations around the well, assessing well and reservoir reserves, assessing reservoir conditions.

20 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets

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