Measurement and control system for a downhole tool

Abstract

A system and method of measuring and controlling the operation of a downhole steam generator. The system may include surface and/or downhole control systems for sending and/or receiving control and measurement signals. The control systems may also communicate with and control surface and/or downhole equipment for supplying process fluids, gasses, and/or mixtures to the downhole steam generator. The control system may control operation of the downhole steam generator by storing, processing, and/or analyzing measured data corresponding to one or more downhole steam generator operations and/or one or more field, formation, reservoir, or other operating objective.

1 . A measurement and control system, comprising:
 a downhole steam generator (DHSG); and   a surface control unit functioning to receive a measurement signal from the DHSG, wherein the surface control unit functions to control operation of the DHSG in response to the measurement signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface control unit is in communication with the DHSG via one or more umbilical lines, wherein the umbilical lines comprise at least one transmission line for transmitting the measurement signal from the DHSG to the surface control unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the umbilical lines comprise at least one transmission line for transmitting a control signal from the surface control unit to the DHSG to adjust the operation of the DHSG. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a downhole control unit functioning to receive at least one measurement from the DHSG and convert the measurement into the measurement signal that is communicated to the surface control unit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the downhole control unit functions to generate a control signal based on the at least one measurement and communicate the control signal to the surface control unit to adjust the operation of the DHSG. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the surface control unit changes one or more parameters of at least one process fluid, gas, or mixture supplied to the DHSG based on the control signal generated by the downhole control unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the downhole control unit changes one or more parameters of at least one process fluid, gas, or mixture supplied to the DHSG based on the at least one measurement or based on a control signal sent from the surface control unit in response to the measurement signal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface control unit functions to receive oilfield data and control operation of the DHSG in response to the oilfield data. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of surface control units controlled by a master control unit, wherein each surface control unit controls operation of a DHSG. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the master control unit functions to receive oilfield data and control operation of the surface control units in response to the oilfield data. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a measurement and control system, comprising:
 monitoring an operational characteristic of a downhole steam generator (DHSG) using a surface control unit;   receiving a measurement signal corresponding to the operational characteristic; and   controlling operation of the DHSG in response to the measurement signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving the measurement signal via at least one transmission line of an umbilical that is connected to the DHSG and the surface control unit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting a control signal from the surface control unit to the DHSG via at least one transmission line of the umbilical to adjust the operation of the DHSG. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving at least one measurement from the DHSG using a downhole control unit, and converting the measurement into the measurement signal that is communicated to the surface control unit by the downhole control unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the downhole control unit generates a control signal based on the at least one measurement and communicates the control signal to the surface control unit to adjust the operation of the DHSG. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising changing one or more parameters of at least one process fluid, gas, or mixture supplied to the DHSG based on the control signal generated by the downhole control unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising changing one or more parameters of at least one process fluid, gas, or mixture supplied to the DHSG based on the at least one measurement or based on a control signal sent from the surface control unit in response to the measurement signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving oilfield data using the surface control unit, and controlling operation of the DHSG in response to the oilfield data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising controlling a plurality of surface control units using a master control unit, wherein each surface control unit controls operation of a DHSG. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the master control unit receives oilfield data and controls operation of the surface control units in response to the oilfield data. 
     
     
         21 . A measurement and control system, comprising:
 a master control unit operable to receive oilfield data;   a plurality of surface control units in communication with the master control unit, wherein each surface control unit controls operation of a downhole steam generator (DHSG), and wherein the master control unit functions to control operation of the DHSGs via remote setpoint adjustments to the surface control units in response to the oilfield data.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a downhole control unit operable to receive measurement signals from at least one of the DHSGs and communicate the signals to at least one of the surface control units.