Radio frequency identification well delivery communication system and method

Abstract

A system for communicating with downhole components is provided comprising at least one RFID device configured with an identification code. The system further includes a device conduit extending next to the downhole components and a device propulsion system configured to translate the RFID devices next to the downhole components to facilitate an exchange of information between the downhole component and the RFID device. The device conduit may include a check valve or a turn-around sub depending upon the application. In some cases, the exchange of information may trigger actuation of one or more of the downhole components. A method is also provide comprising providing a device conduit near downhole components, propelling an RFID device near to the downhole components via the device conduit and a device propulsion system, and exchanging information between the RFID device and the downhole components.

1 . A system for communicating with downhole components comprising:
 one or more RFID devices comprising an identification code (ID code);   a device conduit extending proximate to the downhole components; and   a device propulsion system;   wherein the device propulsion system translates the one or more RFID devices proximate to the downhole component to facilitate an exchange of information between the downhole component and the RFID device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  in which the device propulsion system is a fluid pump. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  in which the device conduit further comprises a check valve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  in which the device conduit further comprises a turn-around sub. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  in which the device conduit is a control line. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  in which the exchange of information detects the ID code of the RFID device and identification of a predetermined ID code triggers actuation of a designated downhole component. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  in which at least one of the downhole components comprises a sensor and the exchange of information comprises a well parameter detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  in which the device conduit further comprises a turn-around sub and the system further comprises an RFID device reader communicatively coupled to a surface of a well. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  in which the one or more RFID devices comprises at least two RFID devices that each have unique ID codes; and
 wherein two or more downhole devices are each configured to individually actuate upon detection of a specific one of the unique ID codes during the exchange of information. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method for communicating with downhole components comprising:
 providing a device conduit proximate to the downhole components:   propelling an RFID device proximate to the downhole components via the device conduit and a device propulsion system;   exchanging information between the RFID device and the downhole components.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  in which propelling comprises pumping a fluid through the device conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising actuating a particular downhole component based in part upon the information exchanged between the RFID device and the particular downhole component. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  in which providing the device conduit comprises running a control line proximate to production tubing during completion of a well. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  in which at least one of the downhole components comprises a sensor and the exchanging of information comprises exchanging data related to a well parameter detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising propelling the RFID device to a surface of a well after exchanging information with the downhole components. 
     
     
         16 . A system for communicating with downhole components in which at least one of the downhole components is located at a point below a shut in point of a suspended well, the system comprising:
 one or more RFID devices;   a device conduit extending proximate to the at least one of the downhole components located below the shut in point;   a device propulsion system configured to propel the one or more RFID devices via the device conduit proximate to the at least one of the downhole components;   wherein an exchange of information occurs between the one or more RFID devices and the at least one of the downhole components.   
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the device conduit comprises a check valve and the one or more RFID device translate past the downhole components in only one direction. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the device conduit comprises a turn-around sub and the one or more RFID devices translate past the downhole components in two directions. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 18  wherein the at least one downhole component is a sensor and the exchange of information comprises data related to a parameter of the suspended well. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the exchange of information triggers actuation of at least one of the downhole components.