Baker Hughes Corporation

Frank D Richardson

Paulo S Tubel

Kevin R Jones

Albert A Mullins, Ii

A system and method for monitoring a formation surrounding a borehole in a production well. The method encompasses the use of a downhole sensor permanently mounted in the well to sense at least one downhole formation parameter which is not normally present within the wellbore. The system includes a formation evaluation sensor permanently located downhole in a production well having at least two boreholes, wherein at least one of the boreholes is a branch borehole, the sensor sensing a formation parameter which is not normally present within the borehole.

Method and system for monitoring and controlling production and

A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. An important feature of this invention is that the automatic control is initiated downhole without an initial control signal from the surface or from some other external source. This control system generally comprises downhole sensors, downhole electromechanical devices and downhole computerized control electronics whereby the control electronics automatically control the electromechanical devices based on input from the downhole sensors. Thus, using the downhole sensors, the downhole computerized control system will monitor actual downhole parameters (such as pressure, temperature, flow, gas influx, etc.) and automatically execute control instructions when the monitored downhole parameters are outside a selected operating range (e.g., indicating an unsafe condition). The automatic control instructions will then cause an electromechanical control device (such as a valve) to actuate a suitable tool (for example, actuate a sliding sleeve or packer; or close a pump or other fluid flow device). The downhole control system of this invention also includes transceivers for two-way communication with the surface as well as a telemetry device for communicating from the surface of the production well to a remote location.

Downhole production well control system and method

A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron generator, gamma ray detector and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding formation invading water entering the producing zone. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing geological formation and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur. In addition, the formation evaluation sensors themselves can be placed much closer to the actual formation (i.e., adjacent the casing or downhole completion tool) then wireline devices which are restricted to the interior of the production tubing.

Production wells having permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors

A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron generator, gamma ray detector and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding formation invading water entering the producing zone. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing geological formation and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur. In addition, the formation evaluation sensors themselves can be placed much closer to the actual formation (i.e., adjacent the casing or downhole completion tool) than wireline devices which are restricted to the interior of the production tubing.

A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron density, gamma ray porosity and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding water entering the production tubing. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing fluid and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur. In addition, the formation evaluation sensors themselves can be placed much closer to the actual formation (i.e., adjacent the casing or downhole completion tool) then wireline devices which are restricted to the interior of the production tubing.

Growing community of inventors

Huntsville, TX, United States of America

Frank D Richardson