Semi-autonomous downhole taxi with fiber optic communication
US11002093B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B23/001
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A semi-autonomous downhole taxi with fiber optic communication is described. The taxi includes a housing configured to travel within a horizontal section of a wellbore. A docking station is detachably attached to the housing. The docking station is configured to couple to a wireline to pass the taxi through a vertical section of the wellbore. The docking station is configured to be detached from and re-attached to the housing. A fiber optic cable spool is attached to and carried by the housing. A fiber optic cable is wound on the fiber optic cable spool. The fiber optic cable mechanically connects the docking station and the housing. The fiber optic cable is configured to unspool from the fiber optic cable spool as the housing, detached from the docking station, travels through the horizontal section of the wellbore. The fiber optic cable is configured to pass data between the docking station and the housing. The data is associated with wellbore operations to be performed by the taxi in the horizontal section of the wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.