Patent · US Expired

Method of utilizing flowable devices in wellbores

US6745833B2 · kind B2 · utility

50Cited by
19References
59Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 2002
Grant dateJun 8, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 29, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B47/138
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore. The flowable devices return to the surface with the returning fluid.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.