System and method for monitoring volume and fluid flow of a wellbore

Abstract

An apparatus for estimating a parameter of a borehole disposed in an earth formation, the system includes: an injection unit configured to inject at least one radio frequency identification device (RFID) into a fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole; and a collection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid, the collection unit comprising a detector that detects at least one of the at least one RFID and data contents thereof; wherein the detector provides output for estimating the parameter. A method for estimating a parameter of a borehole is also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for estimating a parameter of a borehole disposed in an earth formation, the system comprising:
 an injection unit configured to inject at least one radio frequency identification device (RFID) into a fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole; and   a collection unit configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid, the collection unit comprising a detector that detects at least one of the at least one RFID and data contents thereof;   wherein the detector provides output for estimating the parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor in operable communication with at least one of the injection unit and the detector, the processor configured to calculate a circulation time between injection of the at least one RFID into the borehole fluid and detection of the at least one RFID by the detector and to calculate a volume of the borehole. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collection unit is located at a surface location. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one RFID is a plurality of RFIDs. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each RFID in the plurality is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each RFID in the plurality is configured to emit a unique identification signal to the detector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the injection unit is disposed in at least one of a surface location and a downhole location. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottomhole assembly (BHA) including a drill bit assembly, the bottomhole assembly incorporating the injection unit therein. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter is an annular volume between a borehole assembly and the borehole, the borehole assembly being configured to be disposed along a length of the borehole and to receive the fluid therein. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a return conduit located at a surface location and in fluid communication with an annular portion of the borehole. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the collection unit forms a selected portion of the return conduit and the detector is disposed on the selected portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collection unit comprises an antenna and an electronics unit configured to emit an electromagnetic detection signal into the collection unit. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one RFID comprises a processing unit and an antenna configured to receive the detection signal and emit a return signal identifying the at least one RFID and data contents thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method of estimating a parameter of a borehole disposed in an earth formation, the method comprising:
 injecting at least one radio frequency identification device (RFID) in a fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole;   circulating the fluid through the borehole and receiving at least a portion of the fluid in a collection unit;   detecting at least one of the at least one RFID and data contents thereof with a detector in the collection unit; and   providing output from the detector for estimating the parameter.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising introducing a drillstring into the borehole and introducing the fluid into the drillstring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein circulating comprises circulating the fluid through the drillstring and the borehole. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising measuring a circulation time between injecting the at least one RFID and detecting the at least one RFID and estimating a volume of the borehole using the circulation time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the volume is an annular volume between the drillstring and the borehole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one RFID device is injected at a location selected from at least one of a surface location and a downhole location. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the collection unit is in fluid communication with a return conduit located at a surface location and in fluid communication with an annular portion of the borehole. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the detector is disposed on a portion of the return conduit. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the detecting comprises emitting an electromagnetic detection signal into the collection unit and causing the at least one RFID device to emit a return signal for identifying at least one of the at least one RFID and the data contents thereof.