Pipeline instrumentation and control system

Abstract

A pipeline instrumentation and control system comprising a first electrically insulated radiating cable for controlled radiation and reception of electromagnetic signaling carried to a second electrically insulated radiating cable wherein first and second electrically insulated radiating cables are axially disposed along a production well pipe and wherein first axially radiating cable comprises a section configured to substantially overlap second radiating cable section and further wherein electrical signals present in first radiating cable section is configured to induce a corresponding signal in said second radiating cable section to facilitate the transfer of electromagnetic radiation therebetween. The present invention provides reliable data communication from any location within the production system and improves reservoir management, well planning and resource exploitation.

1 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system for the transfer of data in tubing, comprising;
 first and second radiating cables being electrically insulated radiating cables for controlled radiation and reception of electromagnetic signals;   said radiating cables being disposed in said tubing and arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of said tubing;   a first end section of said first radiating cable being arranged in parallel to a second end section of said second radiating cable so that said first and second end sections overlap along said longitudinal axis of said tubing to facilitate the transfer of electromagnetic radiation therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second end sections are aligned in close proximity. 
     
     
         3 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1  wherein said first radiating cable is connected to a first transceiver and said second radiating cable is connected to a second transceiver to facilitate bi-directional signaling between said first and second end sections. 
     
     
         4 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second end sections overlap over a length of approximately 5 m. 
     
     
         5 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second ends are separated by a distance in the range 1 to 30 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first radiating cable is connected to a command control center and said second radiating cable is connected to one of group of devices comprising: a sensor, gauge, data logger, electrical device and electro-mechanical device. 
     
     
         7 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 6  wherein said device is located in a wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . A pipeline instrumentation and control system according to  claim 1  wherein said tubing is production tubing located in a wellbore. 
     
     
         9 . A method of data transfer in a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
 (a) locating a device in said wellbore;   (b) providing a pipeline instrumentation and control system in tubing of said wellbore, comprising first and second radiating cables being electrically insulated radiating cables for controlled radiation and reception of electromagnetic signals;   (c) connecting said second radiating cable to said device;   (d) running said first radiating cable into the wellbore;   (e) overlapping first and second end sections of said first and second cables, respectively, in the wellbore and thereby providing electromagnetic coupling;   (f) transmitting data from the sensor between said radiating cables and up said first radiating cable to a control command centre.