Abstract: The disclosure provides a packing monitor, method, and gravel pack system for real-time monitoring of a particulate for improved gravel packing. Via the real-time monitoring, the quality of the gravel pack can be detected in real-time. Accordingly, a top-off procedure can be performed without additional tripping of the inner service tool string. Detecting when the gravel pack is approaching screen-out can also be determined in real-time. Detecting when screen-out is approaching allows the operator to prepare to stop pumping in case of miscalculations or early screen-out. In one example, the packing monitor includes: (1) a packing detector configured to, when stationary within the wellbore, obtain measurements indicating presence of a particulate in an annulus of the wellbore at different positions along a length of a screen; and (2) a packing controller configured to determine, based on the measurements, a status of the particulate in the annulus at the different positions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a packing monitor, method, and gravel pack system for real-time monitoring of a particulate for improved gravel packing. Via the real-time monitoring, the quality of the gravel pack can be detected in real-time. Accordingly, a top-off procedure can be performed without additional tripping of the inner service tool string. Detecting when the gravel pack is approaching screen-out can also be determined in real-time. Detecting when screen-out is approaching allows the operator to prepare to stop pumping in case of miscalculations or early screen-out. In one example, the packing monitor includes: (1) a packing detector configured to, when stationary within the wellbore, obtain measurements indicating presence of a particulate in an annulus of the wellbore at different positions along a length of a screen; and (2) a packing controller configured to determine, based on the measurements, a status of the particulate in the annulus at the different positions.

Abstract: A communication system comprises: (A) a first transmitter that is acoustically coupled to a column of fluid located within a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well, wherein the first transmitter transmits sound waves wirelessly through the column of fluid located within the wellbore, and wherein the sound waves are encoded with data; and (B) a first receiver that is acoustically coupled to the column of fluid located within the wellbore, wherein the first receiver receives the data-encoded sound waves, wherein the data-encoded sound waves communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore. A method of communicating information wirelessly in a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well comprises: providing the communication system; and causing or allowing the first transmitter to communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore to the first receiver via the data-encoded sound waves.

Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: A communication system comprises: (A) a first transmitter that is acoustically coupled to a column of fluid located within a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well, wherein the first transmitter transmits sound waves wirelessly through the column of fluid located within the wellbore, and wherein the sound waves are encoded with data; and (B) a first receiver that is acoustically coupled to the column of fluid located within the wellbore, wherein the first receiver receives the data-encoded sound waves, wherein the data-encoded sound waves communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore. A method of communicating information wirelessly in a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well comprises: providing the communication system; and causing or allowing the first transmitter to communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore to the first receiver via the data-encoded sound waves.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of adaptive carrier modulation for acoustic telemetry. A method of transmitting an acoustic signal through a wellbore medium includes propagating the acoustic signal through the wellbore medium, the acoustic signal including symbols modulated on a carrier frequency, and the carrier frequency being changed during transmission of each of the symbols. A wellbore acoustic telemetry system includes a transmitter which propagates an acoustic signal through a wellbore medium in a manner such that the acoustic signal includes symbols modulated on a carrier frequency, with the carrier frequency being changed during transmission of each of the symbols.

Abstract: A system for verifying perforating gun status prior to perforating a wellbore. The system includes a perforating gun (38) having a leak sensor disposed therein that is positionable at a target location within the wellbore on a tubing string (30). A communication system (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) is integrated with the tubing string (30). The communication system (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) is operable to communicate with the leak sensor. A surface controller (40) is operable to send a first telemetry signal via the communication system (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) to interrogate the leak sensor regarding a leak status of the perforating gun (38), receive a second telemetry signal from the leak sensor via the communication system (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) including the leak status of the perforating gun (38) and determine whether to operate the perforating gun (38) based upon the leak status information.

Abstract: A shear coupled acoustic telemetry system. An acoustic telemetry system includes a tubular string having a pressure-bearing wall and an acoustic telemetry assembly positioned external to the wall and operative to communicate an acoustic signal between the assembly and the wall. The assembly may be shear coupled to the wall. The assembly may include a pressure-bearing housing positioned external to the wall.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: Self-detection of a modulating carrier and an optimum carrier in a downhole telemetry system. A method of detecting a carrier frequency in a downhole wireless telemetry system includes the steps of: transmitting from a first telemetry device a message modulated on a predetermined carrier frequency; receiving at a second telemetry device signals including multiple frequencies; and selecting from among the multiple received frequencies the predetermined carrier frequency on which the message is modulated. A method of detecting a usable downhole wireless telemetry system carrier frequency includes the steps of: transmitting from a first telemetry device a message modulated on a carrier frequency; then checking whether a response to the message is received at the first telemetry device from a second telemetry device; and each time the response is not received, repeating the transmitting and checking steps with an incremented carrier frequency.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for effectively communicating data along an acoustic transmission path. The method comprises driving an acoustic transmitter to send a data signal along the acoustic transmission path, where the signal is distorted by ambient noise. The distorted signal is input to a spaced apart plurality of sensors so that consequent time-delayed signals provide reinforcement of the basic signal and attenuation of the ambient noise component when combined.

Abstract: A shear coupled acoustic telemetry system. An acoustic telemetry system includes a tubular string having a pressure-bearing wall and an acoustic telemetry assembly positioned external to the wall and operative to communicate an acoustic signal between the assembly and the wall. The assembly may be shear coupled to the wall. The assembly may include a pressure-bearing housing positioned external to the wall.

Abstract: A multi-sensor wireless telemetry system. A telemetry system includes multiple sensor assemblies, each sensor assembly including at least one sensor and a sensor data transmitter, and a transceiver which receives sensor data from each of the transmitters. An acoustic telemetry system includes multiple transmitters, and a transceiver. The transmitters transmit to the transceiver using one acoustic signal mode, and the transceiver transmits to a remote location using a different acoustic signal mode.