Borehole array for ranging and crosswell telemetry
US8912915B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V11/002
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A borehole array for ranging and crosswell telemetry is disclosed along with certain methods for employing such a borehole array. Some embodiments of the borehole array include electrically coupled reference nodes distributed along the length of a reference well. Each reference node includes a solenoid operated by a control unit. The control unit employs the solenoid to generate a magnetic field for guiding a bottomhole assembly in a nearby well. The control unit further serves as a communications intermediary between the bottomhole assembly and a surface facility. The bottomhole assembly can be guided in turn by subsequent reference nodes of the array and employ the closest reference node as a communications link to the surface. Moreover, the use of multiple reference nodes offers greater precision in determining the bottomhole assembly's position relative to the reference well. The borehole array can be used to guide multiple drilling operations concurrently.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.