Telemetry system for wireless electro-acoustical transmission of data along a wellbore

US9759062B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Max Deffenbaugh · Brookshire, US
• Stuart R. Keller · Houston, US
• David A. Stiles · New Orleans, US
• Timothy I. Morrow · Humble, US
• Mark M. Disko · Glen Gardner, US
• Henry Alan Wolf · Morristown, US
• Katie M. Walker · Milford, US
• Scott W. Clawson · Califon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 12, 2017
• Expiry date: Dec 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B47/14
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.