Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging a surface acoustic wave transponder for use in down-hole tool oil & gas environments is provided. An exemplary transponder comprises a surface acoustic wave piezoelectric device, wire bonds, an antenna element, an antenna substrate, a header, and protective coating. The exemplary surface acoustic wave piezoelectric device is attached into a header and wire bonded to the connection leads, which are connected to an antenna element, and then sealed by a protective coating. The header is hermetically sealed and withstands high pressure high temperature environment found in oil & gas down-hole environment.

Abstract: A new and improved piezoelectric device package that can withstand pressures of at least 25,000 psi, high temperatures of at least 300° C., as well as acidic and caustic environments, such as often encountered in oil and gas wells. The package is comprised of a hermetically sealed piezoelectric device header with an internal cavity for mounting various types of piezoelectric devices, an impedance matching network, an antenna, and a protective radome outer cover. The internal structure of the device package is for the most part solid with the exception of an approximate 1-micron space above the surface of the piezoelectric device to allow acoustic waves a path to travel. The general shape of the piezoelectric device package is typically that of a round disk that can be installed and secured by attaching fingers or other means in a bored cavity of a tool, pipe, or other piece of equipment.

Abstract: An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus for use with a drilling rig. The drilling rig preferably has a rig floor, a drilling device, and an equipment path through at least one of the rig floor and the drilling device. The identifying apparatus comprises a computer and a reader assembly. The computer is loaded with an oilfield equipment database. The reader assembly is in communication with the computer, and comprises at least one surface acoustic wave RFID tag reader adjacent to at least a portion of the equipment path of a drilling rig. The reader remotely reads at least one unique identification code from a surface acoustic wave RFID tag associated with a piece of oilfield equipment and transmits the unique identification code to the computer.

Abstract: A method of managing an inventory comprising downhole tools includes the steps of securing a passive RFID device to each downhole tool and utilizing an RFID signal generator/reader to read the passive RFID devices secured to the downhole tools as the downhole tools are introduced into a well. The output from the RFID signal generator/reader is utilized to prepare a listing of all of the downhole tools that have been directed into the well including the location of each of the downhole tools relative to each other. The RFID signal generator/reader is also employed to record the removal of the downhole tools from the well.

Abstract: A new and improved piezoelectric device package that can withstand pressures of at least 25,000 psi, high temperatures of at least 300° C., as well as acidic and caustic environments, such as often encountered in oil and gas wells. The package is comprised of a hermetically sealed piezoelectric device header with an internal cavity for mounting various types of piezoelectric devices, an impedance matching network, an antenna, and a protective radome outer cover. The internal structure of the device package is for the most part solid with the exception of an approximate 1-micron space above the surface of the piezoelectric device to allow acoustic waves a path to travel. The general shape of the piezoelectric device package is typically that of a round disk that can be installed and secured by attaching fingers or other means in a bored cavity of a tool, pipe, or other piece of equipment.