Abstract: An acoustic transmission system is presented, wherein acoustic communication is transmitted over an acoustic medium comprising production tubing, well casing or over continuous tubing in a well (e.g., coil tubing, chemical injection tubing or dewatering string). More specifically, the acoustic medium has an acoustic tool associated therewith, which is permanently located downhole with the sensors and electromechanical devices typically employed in a well, and an acoustic tool associated therewith uphole. The downhole sensors are connected to the downhole acoustic tool for acoustic communication. The acoustic tool includes a piezoelectric ceramic transducer (i.e., a stack of piezoelectric elements) or an accelerometer for transmitting or receiving acoustic signals transmitting through the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems utilizing fiber optics for monitoring downhole parameters and the operation and conditions of downhole tools. In one system fiber optics sensors are placed in the wellbore to make distributed measurements for determining the fluid parameters including temperature, pressure, fluid flow, fluid constituents and chemical properties. Optical spectrometric sensors are employed for monitoring chemical properties in the wellbore and at the surface for chemical injection systems. Fiber optic sensors are utilized to determine formation properties including resistivity and acoustic properties compensated for temperature effects. Fiber optic sensors are used to monitor the operation and condition of downhole devices including electrical submersible pumps and flow control devices. In one embodiment, a common fluid line is used to monitor downhole parameters and to operate hydraulically-operated devices.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones. Communication and transmission of power (i.e. telemetry) over the production tubing string is by way of a combination of a hardwire system in the main borehole and a short hop system at the branches or laterals. Each zone includes a downhole control system and appropriate completion devices for controlling fluid flow. An acoustic or electromagnetic transceiver is associated with each control system for communication and/or transmission of power. An electrical conductor runs from the surface downhole along the production tubing string in the main borehole for communication and/or transmission of power, hardwired systems are well known.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems utilizing fiber optics for monitoring downhole parameters and the operation and conditions of downhole tools. In one system fiber optics sensors are placed in the wellbore to make distributed measurements for determining the fluid parameters including temperature, pressure, fluid flow, fluid constituents and chemical properties. Optical spectrometric sensors are employed for monitoring chemical properties in the wellbore and at the surface for chemical injection systems. Fiber optic sensors are utilized to determine formation properties including resistivity and acoustic properties compensated for temperature effects. Fiber optic sensors are used to monitor the operation and condition of downhole devices including electrical submersible pumps and flow control devices. In one embodiment, a common fluid line is used to monitor downhole parameters and to operate hydraulically-operated devices.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones. Communication and transmission of power (i.e. telemetry) over the production tubing string is by way of a combination of a hardwire system in the main borehole and a short hop system at the branches or laterals. Each zone includes a downhole control system and appropriate completion devices for controlling fluid flow. An acoustic or electromagnetic transceiver is associated with each control system for communication and/or transmission of power. An electrical conductor runs from the surface downhole along the production tubing string in the main borehole for communication and/or transmission of power, hardwired systems are well known.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems utilizing fiber optics for monitoring downhole parameters and the operation and conditions of downhole tools. In one system fiber optics sensors are placed in the wellbore to make distributed measurements for determining the fluid parameters including temperature, pressure, fluid flow, fluid constituents and chemical properties. Optical spectrometric sensors are employed for monitoring chemical properties in the wellbore and at the surface for chemical injection systems. Fiber optic sensors are utilized to determine formation properties including resistivity and acoustic properties compensated for temperature effects. Fiber optic sensors are used to monitor the operation and condition of downhole devices including electrical submersible pumps and flow control devices. In one embodiment, a common fluid line is used to monitor downhole parameters and to operate hydraulically-operated devices.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones. Communication and transmission of power (i.e. telemetry) over the production tubing string is by way of a combination of a hardwire system in the main borehole and a short hop system at the branches or laterals. Each zone includes a downhole control system and appropriate completion devices for controlling fluid flow. An acoustic or electromagnetic transceiver is associated with each control system for communication and/or transmission of power. An electrical conductor runs from the surface downhole along the production tubing string in the main borehole for communication and/or transmission of power, hardwired systems are well known.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones, each including a downhole primary control system. Each primary control system includes electromechanical drivers and devices to control fluid flow. A redundant control system is associated with each of the primary control systems. Each redundant control system is the identical its corresponding primary control system. The redundant control system is set to a sleep or dormant mode, while the primary control system is set to an active mode for collecting data, and communicating with the surface. In the event of a failure, the primary control system is switched to an inactive mode and the redundant control system is switched to an active mode, whereby it will now collect data, and communicate with the surface.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones, each including a downhole control system. Each control system includes electromechanical drivers and devices to control fluid flow. The downhole control systems collect and analyze data from multiple sensors to determine what (if any) actions should be taken in response to sensor stimuli. The actions taken will be based on rules, learned behavior and input from downhole external sources. Well operation and downhole tool models are embedded in the control computer, as are methods to evaluate the models to determine the present and future optimum operating conditions for the well. This network of intelligent control systems in a borehole has to interact to determine the optimum production parameters for the entire borehole; not just a single zone.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A downhole power management technique for a downhole well control system maximizes the number of downhole devices which require electrical power. In accordance with this technique, downhole devices which require power and are addressable will be at a low power consumption state (e.g., sleep or dormant mode). When requested by a downhole or surface controller, the downhole device will turn itself on to an active mode and perform its intended function or task (such as transmitting data, acquiring data, actuating a tool or the like). Preferably, only one downhole device is in its active mode at any one time. As a result of this power management technique, the power requirement downhole will be relatively low and substantially constant regardless of the number of downhole devices requiring power.

Abstract: A plurality of downhole control systems interconnected by a network including a server for monitoring and controlling network communications. Each downhole control system is associated with a zone in one or more wells. The downhole control systems communicate directly with each other transferring information and commands as necessary. The downhole server monitors network communications to resolve data collisions and provides supervisory functions.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones. Communication and transmission of power (i.e. telemetry) over the production tubing string is by way of a combination of a hardwire system in the main borehole and a short hop system at the branches or laterals. Each zone includes a downhole control system and appropriate completion devices for controlling fluid flow. An acoustic or electromagnetic transceiver is associated with each control system for communication and/or transmission of power. An electrical conductor runs from the surface downhole along the production tubing string in the main borehole for communication and/or transmission of power, hardwired systems are well known.

Abstract: Electrical generating apparatus is provided which connects to the production tubing. In a preferred embodiment, this apparatus includes a housing having a primary flow passageway in communication with the production tubing. The housing also includes a laterally displaced side passageway communicating with the primary flow passageway such that production fluid passes upwardly towards the surface through the primary and side passageways. A flow diverter may be positioned in the housing to divert a variable amount of production fluid from the production tubing and into the side passageway. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, an electrical generator is located at least partially in or along the side passageway. The electrical generator generates electricity through the interaction of the flowing production fluid.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.