Method for distributing electrical power to downhole tools
A method for distributing electricity to downhole tools is disclosed in one aspect of the present invention as including providing, by a downhole generator provider, a downhole generator configured to generate electricity. A second provider, such as a downhole tool provider, provides a downhole tool that requires a source of electrical power to operate. The downhole generator is used to supply power to the downhole tool. To compensate the generator provider, the downhole tool provider is charged for use of the downhole generator.
1 . A method for distributing electricity to downhole tools, the method comprising:
providing, by a first party, a downhole generator;
providing, by a second party, a downhole tool;
supplying electricity to the downhole tool from the downhole generator; and
charging the second party for use of the downhole generator.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein charging the second party comprises charging the second party for power consumed by the downhole tool.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein charging the second party comprises charging the second party for generator time consumed by the downhole tool.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein charging the second party further comprises automatically charging an account of the second party.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the account is selected from a credit card account and a bank account.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring use statistics corresponding to at least one of the power and the generator time consumed by the downhole tool.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein monitoring further comprises monitoring by a network node spaced at a desired point along a drill string.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising transmitting the use statistics from the network node to the surface by way of a high-speed network.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising supplying electricity to the network node from the downhole generator.
10 . The method claim 1 , wherein supplying electricity further comprises supplying electricity to charge batteries used to power the downhole tool.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the downhole generator is housed inside the downhole tool.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the downhole generator is housed separately from the downhole tool.
13 . A method for generating income by distributing electricity to downhole tools, the method comprising:
providing a downhole generator corresponding to a first party;
powering at least a portion of a downhole network with the downhole generator;
providing a downhole tool corresponding to a second party;
supplying excess power, generated by the downhole generator, to the downhole tool; and
charging the second party for the excess power.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein charging the second party further comprises automatically charging an account of the second party.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the account is selected from a credit card account and a bank account.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising monitoring use statistics corresponding to the excess power consumed by the downhole tool.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein monitoring further comprises monitoring by a network node.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising transmitting the use statistics from the network node to the surface by way of a high-speed network.
19 . The method claim 13 , wherein supplying excess power further comprises supplying excess power to charge batteries used to power the downhole tool.
20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the downhole generator is at least one of housed inside the downhole tool and housed separately from the downhole tool.