Control line telemetry
View Patent ↗A system and method enable telemetry between a downhole device located in a wellbore and an uphole device. Electrical signals are communicated between locations via at least one fluid carrying control line. The control line provides a path for fluid flow as well as for the transmission of electrical signals. Thus, electrical signals may be transmitted from one location to another within a wellbore without separate electrical wires or cables.
1. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a well system deployed within the wellbore, the well system having:
a work string having a tubing section;
a fluid carrying control line with an insulation layer, the fluid carrying control line being deployed adjacent the tubing section of the work string;
an electrical return disposed along conductive elements of the work string, wherein electrical signals are carried by the fluid carrying control line; and
an electrical device electrically coupled to the fluid carrying control line.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fluid carrying control line comprises a chemical injection line.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fluid carrying control line comprises a hydraulic line.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the work string comprises a production tubing.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the well system comprises a measurement acquisition system electrically coupled to the fluid carrying control line.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical signals are communication signals.
7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fluid carrying control line carries a power signal.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the downhole device comprises a controllable valve.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the downhole device comprises a isolation valve.
10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the downhole device comprises an energy storage device.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the downhole device comprises a sensor system.
12. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.
13. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a supercapacitor.
14. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the downhole device comprises a packer.
15. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fluid carrying control line is encapsulated in the insulation layer.
16. A method, comprising:
forming a control line with a conductive material;
positioning the control line adjacent a tubing section of a work string;
providing a fluid to a wellbore location via the control line formed of a conductive material;
transmitting an electrical signal between a downhole device and an uphole location through the conductive material of the control line; and
providing an electrical return path along an existing well system component separate from the control line.
17. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein providing comprises providing an electrical return path along a production tubing.
18. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein providing comprises providing an electrical return path along a well casing.
19. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein providing comprises providing the fluid to the wellbore location via a chemical injection line.
20. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein providing comprises providing the fluid to the wellbore location via a hydraulic control line.
21. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein transmitting comprises sending a control signal to the downhole device.
22. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein transmitting comprises sending a signal to a controllable valve.
23. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein transmitting comprises sending a signal to an isolation valve.
24. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein transmitting comprises sending a signal to a sensor mechanism.
25. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein transmitting comprises sending a signal from the downhole device to the uphole location disposed at the surface of the earth.
26. A method, comprising:
deploying a work string, having a tubing section, into a wellbore;
routing a fluid supply conduit, formed of a conductive material, along the tubing section;
providing a fluid to a wellbore location via the fluid supply conduit; and
transmitting an electrical signal between a downhole device and an uphole location through the conductive material of the fluid supply conduit, wherein transmitting comprises sending a power signal to an energy storage device to charge the energy storage device.
27. The method as recited in claim 26 , wherein sending comprises sending a power signal to a battery.
28. The method as recited in claim 26 , wherein sending comprises sending a power signal to a supercapacitor.
29. A method, comprising:
deploying a work string, having a tubing section, into a wellbore;
routing a fluid supply conduit, formed of a conductive material, along the tubing section;
providing a fluid to a wellbore location via the fluid supply conduit;
transmitting an electrical. signal. between a downhole device and an uphole location though the conductive material of the fluid supply conduit, wherein transmitting comprises sending a command and control. signal to a packer and
providing an electrical return path along an existing well system component separate from the control line.
30. A method, comprising:
sending a chemical substance though a chemical injection control line to a downhole location;
locating the chemical injection control line adjacent a tubing section of a work string;
utilizing the chemical injection control line to carry electrical signals; and
providing an electrical return via a well casing.
31. The method as recited in claim 30 , wherein utilizing comprises carrying a power signal.
32. The method as recited in claim 30 , wherein utilizing comprises carrying at communication signal.
33. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a workstring disposed in the wellbore;
a fluid carrying control line positioned adjacent the work string;
a device;
an inductive coupler forming an electrical connection between the device and the fluid carrying control line; and
an electrical return path along an existing well system component separate from the fluid carrying control line.
34. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the workstring comprises production tubing.
35. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the workstring comprises a downhole completion.
36. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the fluid carrying control line comprises a chemical injection line.
37. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the fluid carrying control line comprises a hydraulic control line,
38. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the device comprises a sensor.
39. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the device comprises a measurement acquisition system.
40. The system as recited in claim 33 , wherein the device comprises a controllable well tool.
41. The system as recited in claim 33 , further comprising an electrical return formed of a conductive well system component.
42. The system as recited in claim 41 , wherein the conductive well system component comprises a production tubing.
43. The system as recited in claim 41 , wherein the conductive well system component comprises a well casing.
44. The system as recited in claim 41 , wherein the conductive well system component comprises a second control line.