Apparatus and method for evaluating a formation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for evaluating a formation is presented. The apparatus comprises a tubular string deployed into a wellbore penetrating the formation, where the tubular string has a longitudinal flow passage therethrough. A flow sub in the tubular string provides fluid communication between the longitudinal flow passage in the tubular string and an annulus between the tubular string and a wall of the wellbore. A wireline tool is attached proximate a bottom end of the flow sub. A telemetry module proximate the flow sub provides communication between the wireline tool and a surface system, without the use of a wireline to the surface.

1 . An apparatus for evaluating a formation, comprising: 
 a tubular string deployed into a wellbore penetrating the formation, the tubular string having a longitudinal flow passage therethrough;    a flow sub in the tubular string, said flow sub providing fluid communication between the longitudinal flow passage in the tubular string and an annulus between the tubular string and a wall of the wellbore;    a wireline tool attached proximate a bottom end of the flow sub; and    a telemetry module proximate the flow sub providing communication between the wireline tool and a surface system, without the use of a wireline to the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a downhole power source.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the downhole power source comprises a turbine-alternator disposed in a fluid flowing in the axial flow passage and generating electrical power therefrom.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular string comprises drill pipe.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wireline tool comprises at least one of: a formation test tool; a resistivity tool, a nuclear tool, and a nuclear magnetic resonance tool.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the telemetry module comprises a mud pulser transmitting encoded pulses in the flowing fluid that are detected by the surface system.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface system comprises a surface pulser transmitting a downlink signal to the telemetry module.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the downlink signal comprises commands for operation of at least one of the wireline tool and the telemetry module.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the telemetry module comprises a controller having a processor and a memory.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a signal from the wireline tool is stored in the memory in the telemetry module.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore comprises a highly deviated wellbore.  
   
   
       12 . A method for evaluating a formation, comprising: 
 deploying a tubular string into a wellbore penetrating the formation;    providing fluid communication between a longitudinal flow passage in the tubular string and an annulus between the tubular string and a wall of the wellbore using a flow sub attached to the tubular string;    measuring a parameter of interest with a wireline tool attached to the tubular string below the flow sub; and    communicating between the wireline tool and a surface system without the use of a wireline.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising supplying electrical power proximate the flow sub.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular string comprises drill pipe.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wireline tool is chosen from the group consisting of: a formation test tool; a resistivity tool, a nuclear tool, and a nuclear magnetic resonance tool.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of communicating between the wireline tool and a surface system without the use of a wireline comprises generating encoded mud pulses in a fluid and detecting the encoded pulses at the surface.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of communicating between the wireline tool and a surface system without the use of a wireline comprises transmitting a downlink signal from the surface system to a telemetry module proximate the wireline tool.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the downlink signal comprises commands for operation of at least one of the wireline tool and the telemetry module.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the telemetry module comprises a controller having a processor and a memory.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a signal from the wireline tool is stored in the memory in the telemetry module.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of supplying electrical power proximate the flow sub comprises inserting a turbine-alternator disposed in a flowing fluid downhole and generating electrical power therefrom.