Horizontal wellbore pressure measurement

Abstract

A system and method of measuring pressure in highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. In a described example, a pressure measurement system includes an apparatus which has a tube wrapped helically about a tubular mandrel. The tube is connected to a line extending to a remote location. A predetermined fluid is displaced through the line and the tube, so that fluid pressure in a well at the apparatus may be measured at the remote location.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of measuring pressure in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pressure measurement apparatus including a generally tubular mandrel having a tube wrapped helically externally about the mandrel;    interconnecting the mandrel in a tubular string, a flow passage of the tubular string extending longitudinally through the mandrel;    connecting the tube to a fluid line extending to a remote location;    positioning the tubular string in the well;    displacing a predetermined fluid through the line and the tube; and    measuring pressure in the fluid at the remote location.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step further comprises positioning a longitudinal axis of the mandrel at a substantial deviation from vertical.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step further comprises orienting the mandrel in the well so that a flowpath through the tube extends in alternating at least partially vertical directions.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step further comprises orienting the mandrel in the well so that a longitudinal axis of the mandrel extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the positioning step, the mandrel is positioned in a portion of the well which extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing a housing outwardly overlying the tube.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the providing step, the tube has a greater internal cross-sectional area than the fluid line.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the displacing step, the predetermined fluid is a gas.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein in the displacing step, the gas is helium.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein in the displacing step, the gas is nitrogen.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the displacing step, the predetermined fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein in the displacing step, the liquid is substantially silicone.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the displacing step further comprises displacing well fluid at least partially out of the tube.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the measuring step further comprises admitting well fluid at least partially into the tube.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing a thermocouple wire within the tube.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing an optical fiber within the tube.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring temperature in the well using a thermocouple wire positioned within the tube.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring temperature in the well using an optical fiber positioned within the tube.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of detecting a gas-liquid interface in the well using a thermocouple wire positioned within the tube.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of detecting a gas-liquid interface in the well using an optical fiber positioned within the tube.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the measuring step, the tube is in fluid communication with the tubular string flow passage.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the measuring step, the tube is in fluid communication with a wellbore of the well external to the tubular string.  
     
     
         23 . A method of measuring pressure in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pressure measurement apparatus including a fluid flowpath;    connecting the flowpath to a fluid line extending to a remote location;    positioning the apparatus in the well, so that the flowpath extends in alternating at least partially vertical directions;    displacing a predetermined fluid through the line and the flowpath; and    measuring pressure in the fluid at the remote location.    
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the positioning step further comprises positioning a longitudinal axis of the apparatus at a substantial deviation from vertical.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the positioning step further comprises positioning the apparatus so that the flowpath extends alternately upward and downward.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the positioning step further comprises orienting the apparatus in the well so that a longitudinal axis of the apparatus extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the positioning step, the apparatus is positioned in a portion of the well which extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing the flowpath formed in a tube of the apparatus.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing the flowpath formed in an internal chamber of the apparatus.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the providing step, the flowpath has a greater cross-sectional area than an interior of the fluid line.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the displacing step, the predetermined fluid is a gas.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein in the displacing step, the gas is helium.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein in the displacing step, the gas is nitrogen.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the displacing step, the predetermined fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein in the displacing step, the liquid is substantially silicone.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the displacing step further comprises displacing well fluid at least partially out of the flowpath.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the measuring step further comprises admitting well fluid at least partially into the flowpath.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing a thermocouple wire within the flowpath.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the providing step further comprises providing an optical fiber within the flowpath.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of measuring temperature in the well using a thermocouple wire positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of measuring temperature in the well using an optical fiber positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of detecting a gas-liquid interface in the well using a thermocouple wire positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of detecting a gas-liquid interface in the well using an optical fiber positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the measuring step, the flowpath is in fluid communication with a flow passage of a tubular string positioned in the well, the apparatus being connected in the tubular string.  
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the measuring step, the flowpath is in fluid communication with a wellbore of the well external to a tubular string positioned in the well, the apparatus being connected in the tubular string.  
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the providing step, the flowpath is formed through a tube helically wrapped about a tubular mandrel, and further comprising the step of interconnecting the mandrel in a tubular string, so that a flow passage of the tubular string extends longitudinally through the mandrel.  
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the providing step, the flowpath is formed through a tube formed so that the tube repeatedly alternates direction.  
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the providing step, the flowpath is formed in a partitioned chamber.  
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein in the providing step, the chamber is rotatably disposed relative to a tubular mandrel.  
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 48 , further comprising the steps of: 
 interconnecting the apparatus in a tubular string; and    rotating the chamber relative to the tubular string in the well.    
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the steps of: 
 interconnecting the apparatus in a tubular string; and    rotating the tubular string in the well relative to a connection between the line and the flowpath.    
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the rotating step further comprises maintaining a relative vertical orientation between the connection and the chamber.  
     
     
         53 . A system for measuring pressure in a subterranean well, the system comprising: 
 an apparatus interconnected in a tubular string in the well, the apparatus including a generally tubular mandrel, and a flowpath extending helically externally about the mandrel, a flow passage of the tubular string extending longitudinally through the mandrel; and    a line connected to the flowpath and extending to a remote location, pressure applied to a predetermined fluid in the line at the remote location balancing pressure in well fluid admitted into the flowpath.    
     
     
         54 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the flowpath is formed in a tube wrapped about the mandrel.  
     
     
         55 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the flowpath has a greater cross-sectional area than an interior of the line.  
     
     
         56 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that the flowpath extends in alternating at least partially vertical directions.  
     
     
         57 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that the flowpath extends alternately upward and downward.  
     
     
         58 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that the flow passage in the mandrel extends at a substantial deviation from vertical.  
     
     
         59 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that a longitudinal axis of the mandrel extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         60 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in a portion of the well which extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus further includes a housing outwardly overlying the flowpath.  
     
     
         62 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the predetermined fluid is a gas.  
     
     
         63 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the gas is helium.  
     
     
         64 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein the gas is nitrogen.  
     
     
         65 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the predetermined fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         66 . The system according to  claim 65 , wherein the liquid is substantially silicone.  
     
     
         67 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus includes a thermocouple wire within the flowpath.  
     
     
         68 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the apparatus includes an optical fiber within the flowpath.  
     
     
         69 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the flowpath is in fluid communication with the tubular string flow passage.  
     
     
         70 . The system according to  claim 53 , wherein the flowpath is in fluid communication with a wellbore of the well external to the tubular string.  
     
     
         71 . A system for measuring pressure in a subterranean well, the system comprising: 
 a pressure measurement apparatus including a fluid flowpath;    a fluid line connected to the flowpath and extending to a remote location;    the apparatus being positioned in the well, so that the flowpath extends alternately upward and downward; and    a predetermined fluid being displaced through the line and into the flowpath.    
     
     
         72 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that a longitudinal axis of the apparatus is at a substantial deviation from vertical.  
     
     
         73 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that the flowpath extends in alternating at least partially vertical directions.  
     
     
         74 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in the well so that a longitudinal axis of the apparatus extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         75 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus is positioned in a portion of the well which extends beyond horizontal.  
     
     
         76 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is formed in a tube of the apparatus.  
     
     
         77 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is formed in an internal chamber of the apparatus.  
     
     
         78 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath has a greater cross-sectional area than an interior of the fluid line.  
     
     
         79 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the predetermined fluid is a gas.  
     
     
         80 . The system according to  claim 79 , wherein the gas is helium.  
     
     
         81 . The system according to  claim 79 , wherein the gas is nitrogen.  
     
     
         82 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the predetermined fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         83 . The system according to  claim 82 , wherein the liquid includes substantially silicone.  
     
     
         84 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the predetermined fluid displaces well fluid at least partially out of the flowpath.  
     
     
         85 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein well fluid is admitted at least partially into the flowpath.  
     
     
         86 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus includes a thermocouple wire within the flowpath.  
     
     
         87 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus includes an optical fiber within the flowpath.  
     
     
         88 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus detects a gas-liquid interface in the well using a thermocouple wire positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         89 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus detects a gas-liquid interface in the well using an optical fiber positioned within the flowpath.  
     
     
         90 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is in fluid communication with a flow passage of a tubular string positioned in the well, the apparatus being connected in the tubular string.  
     
     
         91 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is in fluid communication with a wellbore of the well external to a tubular string positioned in the well, the apparatus being connected in the tubular string.  
     
     
         92 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is formed through a tube helically wrapped about a tubular mandrel, the mandrel being interconnected in a tubular string, so that a flow passage of the tubular string extends longitudinally through the mandrel.  
     
     
         93 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is formed through a tube formed so that the tube repeatedly alternates direction.  
     
     
         94 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the flowpath is formed in a partitioned chamber of the apparatus.  
     
     
         95 . The system according to  claim 94 , wherein the chamber is rotatably disposed relative to a tubular mandrel.  
     
     
         96 . The system according to  claim 94 , wherein the apparatus is interconnected in a tubular string, and the chamber rotates relative to the tubular string in the well.  
     
     
         97 . The system according to  claim 71 , wherein the apparatus is interconnected in a tubular string, and wherein the tubular string rotates in the well relative to a connection between the line and the flowpath.  
     
     
         98 . The system according to  claim 97 , wherein relative rotation between the tubular string and the connection maintains a relative vertical orientation between the connection and the chamber.