Method and system for downhole object location and orientation determination
US10444392B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/116
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A downhole device is provided that is intended to be co-located with an optical fiber cable to be found, for example by being fixed together in the same clamp. The device has an accelerometer or other suitable orientation determining means that is able to determine its positional orientation, with respect to gravity. A vibrator or other sounder is provided, that outputs the positional orientation information as a suitable encoded and modulated acoustic signal. A fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor deployed in the vicinity of the downhole device detects the acoustic signal and transmits it back to the surface, where it is demodulated and decoded to obtain the positional orientation information. Given that the device is co-located with the optical fiber the position of the fiber can then be inferred. As explained above, detecting the fiber position is important during perforation operations, so that the fiber is not inadvertently damaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.