IP Library Granted Patent US 7,347,271
Granted Patent B2
US 7,347,271 · App. 11/161,342 · Granted Mar 25, 2008

Wireless communications associated with a wellbore

Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,347,271
App. No.
11/161,342
Granted
Mar 25, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A subsea communication system includes devices in a wellbore and devices on a floor, where the devices in the wellbore and on the floor are able to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as through a formation.

Claims (22)

1. A method for use in a subsea environment, comprising:

wirelessly communicating between electrical devices in a subsea wellbore and electrical devices proximal a sea floor through a formation;

sending, from a first one of said electrical devices proximal the sea floor, wireless signals into the formation; and

receiving, at a second one of said electrical devices proximal the sea floor, a portion of the wireless signals reflected from a reservoir in the formation for determining a characteristic of the reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein wirelessly communicating through the formation comprises wirelessly communicating electromagnetic signaling through the formation.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the wireless communicating during an exploration phase for determining characteristics of a reservoir in the formation.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the wireless communicating during a drilling phase to provide feedback from the subsea wellbore.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the wireless communicating while completing a subsea wellbore.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising wirelessly communicating between electrical devices proximal the sea floor.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising wirelessly communicating between electrical devices in the subsea wellbore.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third electrical device proximal the sea floor sending wireless signaling through sea water to a fourth electrical device proximal the sea floor; and

in response to the wireless signaling from the third electrical device, the fourth electrical device sending, through the formation, wireless signaling into the formation to test a characteristic of a portion of the formation.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in the subsea wellbore sending measurement data in wireless signaling through the formation to a receiver proximal the sea floor.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the receiver sending, through sea water, the measurement data in wireless signaling to another electrical device proximal the sea floor.

11. A subsea well system comprising:

a first electrical device for positioning proximal a sea floor;

a second electrical device for location in a subsea wellbore,

wherein the first and second electrical devices are adapted to communicate wirelessly through a formation separating the first and second electrical devices; and

a third electrical device and a fourth electrical device proximal the sea floor, the third electrical device to send wireless signaling through the formation to a reservoir in the formation, and the fourth electrical device to receive wireless signaling reflected from the reservoir.

12. The subsea well system of claim 11 , wherein the second electrical device comprises a sensor,

the sensor to send measurement data in wireless signaling through the formation to the first electrical device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2005
From: OHMER, HERVE; HUBER, KLAUS B.; SHEFFIELD, RANDOLPH J.
To: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016330/0092 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6052267300 · Oct 27, 2004
Related Publication 20060086497A1 · Apr 27, 2006