Apparatus and method for a retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system

Abstract

An apparatus for retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system includes a casing for a well; a transmission system installed on the outside of the casing or in a wall of the casing; and a sensor array. The sensor array is adapted to couple with the transmission system, and where a wall of the casing is disposed between the sensor array and the transmission system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system comprising:
 a casing for a well;   a transmission system installed on the outside of the casing or in a wall of the casing; and   a sensor array,   wherein the sensor array is adapted to couple with the transmission system, and where a wall of the casing is disposed between the sensor array and the transmission system.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission system comprises a telemetry unit and a transmission cable. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array comprises at least one tool and a transmission coupling device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission system is fixed in place by concrete disposed between the casing and a borehole wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one tool comprises a sensor, and wherein the sensor is one of a hydrophone, a geophone, an electromagnetic sensor, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a resistivity sensor, a flow meter, a gravity meter, and an oil-water contact device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the telemetry unit comprises a first transmission coupling system; and   the transmission coupling device comprises a second transmission coupling system, and wherein the first transmission coupling system and the second transmission coupling system are adapted to couple the telemetry unit and the transmission coupling device.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first transmission coupling system and the second transmission coupling system are one of magnetic, acoustic, electro-magnetic induction based, and RF based. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising, a computing device, wherein the computing device is connected to the telemetry unit by the transmission cable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the telemetry unit is adapted to receive data from and transmit data to the transmission coupling device through the first and second transmission coupling systems and the computing device through the transmission cable. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the telemetry unit is adapted to receive power through the transmission cable and to transmit power to the transmission coupling device through the first and second transmission coupling systems. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the casing comprises a modified section disposed between the telemetry unit and the transmission coupling device, and wherein the type of the modified section is based on the type of the first and second transmission coupling systems. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a deployment tool adapted to deploy the sensor array into the casing and retrieve the sensor array from the casing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one tool of the tool array is disposed outside of the casing when the sensor array is deployed within the casing. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for a transmission system for a retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system comprising:
 a transmission cable; and   a telemetry unit adapted to transmit and receive data using the transmission cable, and comprising a transmission coupling system adapted to transmit and receive the data through a wall of a casing.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one clamp adapted to attach the telemetry unit to the casing, and at least one clamp adapted to attach the transmission cable to the casing. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the telemetry unit is further adapted to receive power through the transmission cable and the transmission coupling system is further adapted to transmit power. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for a sensor array for a retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system comprising:
 at least one tool adapted to monitor at least one characteristic of a well or earth surrounding a well; and   a transmission coupling device adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the at least one tool and comprising a transmission coupling system adapted to transmit and receive the data through a wall of a casing.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the transmission coupling system is further adapted to receive power, and the transmission coupling device is further adapted to transmit power to the at least one tool. 
     
     
         19 . A method for a retrievable semi-permanent monitoring system comprising:
 deploying a sensor array into a casing;   coupling the sensor array to a transmission system disposed outside the casing;   monitoring with the sensor array a characteristic of the environment; and   transmitting a measurement of the characteristic from the sensor array inside the casing to the transmission system outside the casing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 before deploying the sensor array, attaching the transmission system outside the casing;   installing the casing in a well; and   filling space between the casing and a borehole wall of the well with concrete.