Adaptive Method for High Data Rate Communication In Wells

Abstract

Apparatus for downhole transmission and reception of data in an oil or gas well includes a downhole signal transceiver adapted to receive data from a signal generator and transmit the signal through the well and an elongate member with an axis, located in the wellbore; wherein the signal is transmitted by the transceiver, predominantly axially along the elongate member.

We claim: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for downhole transmission and reception of data in an oil or gas well comprising a plurality of transceiver nodes located along a string in a wellbore, the string being made up of sections of tubular pipe having no coating for the purposes of signal transmission, and the data being wirelessly transmitted as a radiofrequency (RF) signal in an adaptive mesh network so that in the event of a node failure, the transmitting node changes the transmitted signal to by-pass the silent node and reach the next node in sequence to provide system redundancy. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein commands are wirelessly transmitted with the data to control or operate downhole tools or devices. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitting node changes the transmitted signal by amplitude to transmit over a greater distance to bypass the silent node. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitting node changes the transmitted signal by frequency to transmit over a greater distance to bypass the silent node. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitting node maintains as default the new communication pathway and signal transmission characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the data is transmitted bi-directionally along the tubular pipes. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the data is transmitted at a transmission rate greater than a Megabit per second. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one or more transceiver nodes incorporates one or more sensors allow data to be gathered from multiple points along the tubular pipes. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transceiver nodes comprise collars that are applied to the outer surface of the tubular pipes. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transceiver nodes are incorporated in a sub-assembly terminating in similar connections to the tubular pipes and inserted between two such pipes. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transceiver nodes are located in a side-pocket mandrel within the wall of the tubular pipe.