Acoustic and Fiber Optic Network for Use in Laterals Downhole

Abstract

Communication between a lateral and a main bore is established wirelessly preferably using sensors that transmit sensed parameters in the lateral and transmit acoustically coded messages to the main bore preferably into a fiber optic cable that extends in the main bore. The sensors have stored or/and generated power and communicate from their location to the fiber optic cable in the main bore either directly or indirectly using a network of sensors to relay the information along the lateral to the fiber optic. A surface processor can then associate the data from specific sensors and alternatively communicate with certain sensors to start or stop transmitting data.

1 . A method for monitoring at least one well condition in a lateral extending from a wellbore:
 placing at least one sensor on a string extending from the main bore and into the lateral;   transmitting a signal of a sensed variable in the lateral from said sensor and into said main bore without a hard wired connection.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 transmitting the signal received in the main bore to the surface on a conduit.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 providing a fiber optic cable as said conduit.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising:
 transmitting an acoustic or electromagnetic signal from said sensor.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising:
 providing a plurality of sensors as said at least one sensor;   relaying a given signal from one sensor to at least one other sensor in the lateral before the signal reaches the main bore.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 providing a power generating capability with at least one of said sensors.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising:
 providing a power storage capability with at least one of said sensors.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 charging said power storage device through said string.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 providing redundant sensors to measure the same variable;   switching, via said string, power on to one sensor after power at another sensor sensing the same variable has stopped transmitting.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising:
 coding a signal from a given sensor so that its location can be identified with a surface processor.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 delivering a sonde into said string to perform said charging.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising:
 using a piezoceramic power generator with said power storage capability.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving said signal in said main bore with a fiber optic cable.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 transmitting an acoustic or electromagnetic signal from said sensor.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing a plurality of sensors as said at least one sensor;   relaying a given signal from one sensor to at least one other sensor in the lateral before the signal reaches the main bore.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing a power generating capability with at least one of said sensors.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 providing a power storage capability with at least one of said sensors.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 charging said power storage device through said string.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing redundant sensors to measure the same variable;   switching, via said string, power on to one sensor after power at another sensor sensing the same variable has stopped transmitting.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 coding a signal from a given sensor so that its location can be identified with a surface processor.